Michigan News
(2008-09-15)
Bishop Earl Boyea, Bishop of the Diocese of Lansing
(courtesy of the Diocese of Lansing)
Catholic churches in central Michigan are about to undergo a massive restructuring.
Lansing Bishop Earl Boyea outlined a plan today to close a half dozen churches and consolidate or merge operations at dozens of others.
A declining number of priests and dwindling attendance at many parishes prompted the move.
But Boyea concedes these changes will be painful for some.
"We want them to love their parishes. It would be silly to have a parish and not love it. Any change of this nature is going to be painful to people. We know that. But on the other hand, like the cross of Christ, it leads eventually to something new, a resurrection," says Bishop Boyea.
The changes are most striking in Genesee County, where 23 of 26 parishes will either close, merge or consolidate operations.
The restructuring is expected to take several years to fully implement. © Copyright 2009, Michigan Radio
