Most Rev. Joseph A. Galante, Bishop of Camden

Bishop modifies certain parish configurations to address concerns about worship sites and to ensure the pastoral care of parishioners

CAMDEN — Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante, Bishop of Camden, on Aug. 26 announced, in a release, the appointment of 41 “Priest Conveners” who will help guide merging parishes through the reconfiguration he announced on April 3.

The reconfiguration of parishes will address the declining number of diocesan priests available for ministry, changes and shifts in population, and will strengthen parishes to enable them to advance the pastoral priorities identified by parishioners at Speak Up sessions.

The Priest Conveners are not replacing pastors, but will be working with existing pastors, administrators and Core Teams made up of leadership from the parishes that will merge in order to create the new parish. In a number of instances, more than one Priest Convener has been named. These Co-Conveners will work together in collaboration with the existing pastors, administrators and the Core Teams to bring about the mergers.

The Priest Convener likely will become the pastor of the new parish once it is formally established by decree. When the diocese announced the reconfiguration in April, it indicated that the formation of the new parishes could take 12-24 months, depending on the parish.

In the meantime, existing pastors and administrators remain in place and parish life continues under their care until the new parish is established formally by decree. The Priest Conveners also retain their current assignments in addition to the Convener responsibilities.

In September and October, Priest Conveners will receive information regarding the formation of the Core Teams and a manual describing the steps that will occur in preparation for the eventual merging of the parishes. There is a range of pastoral, administrative, canonical and civil procedures that occur in preparation for merger.

The Priest Convener appointments follow an extensive period of consultation. First, parish needs were assessed at 41 meetings that were held with parish leadership and representatives of the Priest Personnel Board in April, May and June of this year.

In May, the diocese wrote to all the priests of the diocese with a listing of all parish openings, requesting that those interested in becoming Priest Convener of one of the newly merged parishes indicate their choices for assignment by July 15. Priests who currently are the pastors of parishes designated as a “cluster” or “stand alone parish” could choose to remain in their present assignments until their term expires, until they seek a new assignment at another time,until they retire, or seek senior priest status.

The Priest Personnel Board, which consists of six elected and six ex-officio members, met for four days in August to match priests to parish openings based on the ministerial skills of the priests and the pastoral needs of the parishes. Bishop Galante accepted the recommendations of the Priest Personnel Board in making the appointments announced today.

In a letter to Priest Conveners this week, Bishop Galante wrote, “I am most conscious that your role as Convener will be of great importance in ensuring the continued success of the parish reconfiguration now underway in this diocese. I am therefore grateful for the leadership, vision and pastoral sensitivity you will bring to this role as you continue your generous service to the People of God in the Diocese of Camden. Given the challenges of this work, as well as the great benefit that lies ahead for our Church and the people we serve, I assure you of my prayerful support as you begin this important work.”

In conjunction with the naming of Priest Conveners today, Bishop Galante also announced modifications to certain parish configurations that were announced last April. The modifications have been made following meetings and feedback from parishioners, as well as consultations with his planning advisors, and the Presbyteral Council of the diocese, an advisory group of priests. While not significantly altering the reconfigurations announced April 3, Bishop sought refinements in order to improve the pastoral care of parishioners, to clarify how worship sites will be used within the configurations, and to address specific concerns regarding accessibility to ensure that parishioners will be fully served by the facilities.

Under the configuration announced today, Bishop Galante intends there to be 37 merged parishes (one of which will later cluster), three parish clusters (involving seven parishes) and 25 stand-alone parishes. The reconfiguration, when fully implemented, will bring about an overall reduction in the number of parishes from the current 124 parishes to 68 parishes. This is an increase of two parishes from the 66 of the April 3 announcement. More than 100 churches will be used for worship.

In a letter to parishioners published in this week’s edition of the Catholic Star Herald, the diocesan newspaper, Bishop Galante said, “The appointment this week of Priest Conveners is a major step in moving forward the initiative to bring about stronger parishes in the diocese…The prospect of change, even when the reasons are compelling as they are here, is always challenging, for priests and parishioners alike. In a special way, I thank you, the people of the diocese, for your patience, your understanding and the support you will be giving our Priest Conveners as we together take these important steps toward a better future.”

For Deanery IX, which includes Cape May County, the following have been appointed:

• Father Thomas Barcellona and Father Edward Kolla have been named Priest Co-Conveners for the merger of St. Augustine (Ocean City), St. Frances Cabrini (Ocean City) and Our Lady of Good Counsel (Ocean City). While the parish will be located at St. Augustine, it is Bishop’s intention that worship sites at St. Frances Cabrini and Our Lady of Good Counsel remain open year-round in addition to the summer and shoulder months specified in the announcement of April 3. A final determination regarding the use of the worship sites will be made by the pastor and the parish pastoral and finance councils after the new parish is formally established by decree.

• Father Vincent Carpinelli has been named the Priest Convener for the merger of Maris Stella (Avalon) and St. Paul (Stone Harbor). While the parish will be located at Maris Stella, it is Bishop’s intention that the worship site at St. Paul remain open year-round in addition to the summer and shoulder months specified in the announcement of April 3. A final determination regarding the use of the worship sites will be made by the pastor and the parish pastoral and finance councils after the new parish is formally established by decree.

• Father Michael Field has been named the Priest Convener for the merger of St. Ann (Wildwood) and Assumption (Wildwood Crest). While the location of the parish will be at St. Ann, it is Bishop’s intention that the worship site at Assumption remain open year-round in addition to the summer and shoulder months specified in the announcement of April 3. A final determination regarding the use of the worship sites will be made by the pastor and the parish pastoral and finance councils after the new parish is formally established by decree.

• Father Christopher Bakey has been named the Priest Convener for the merger of Resurrection (Marmora) and St. Casimir (Woodbine), which includes St. Elizabeth Mission (Goshen).

• Pending: The Priest Convener for the merger of St. John of God (North Cape May) and St. Raymond (Villas) is to be determined.