The changing parish A Christ statue stands outside Sts. Paul and Peter Church in Baie-Saint-Paul, in the Archdiocese of Quebec, which is re-organizing its parishes. CNS photo/Philippe Vaillancourt, Presence
In announcing another reorganization and consolidation of parishes, Quebec City Archbishop Cardinal Gérald Lacroix sought to focus the conversation on “our ability to fulfill our essential mission.”
Canada’s primate is not the first bishop, nor will he be the last, to stare down the impossible math of too many parishes, not enough priests and not enough parishioners. But like bishops all around the world, he’s also asking himself, what’s a parish for?