Feedback from the fall phase of the diocese’s Real Presence Real Future initiative is being processed during the next couple of months as consultations continue before the results are presented to key parish leaders.
By early spring, data from surveys will be extrapolated and preliminary recommendations for future parish models will be proposed.
More than 5,300 individuals registered for the fall Zoom meetings, which were conducted from September through November. Several parishes held group viewings in a large gathering space, so the number of participants likely was larger.
From those registrants, more than 2,500 surveys were submitted. Those responses are being tabulated by the Catholic Leadership Institute, which is helping the diocese through the Real Presence Real Future process. In early spring, the results will be disseminated in the diocese.
“They are compiling the responses in a more digestible format for the team here at the diocese to be able to review and then adjust the parish models to present in round two of this process,” said Father Michael Hartge, the moderator of the Curia who is leading the diocese through this initiative.
In general, the profile of fall session attendees skewed female and slightly older. A majority of them expressed a basic understanding of Real Presence Real Future.
“Some of the significant concerns from the people were declining sacramental participation and demands on the clergy,” Father Hartge said. “It was different for each group, but almost all of them were saying at least those two things. Other concerns were financial pressures on parishes and aging populations.”
The diocese has communicated from the beginning that the two components to Real Presence Real Future encompass spiritual and parish renewal. The latter will result in reorganization of parish models to adapt to the shifting demographics and declining numbers of clergy in the diocese.
The scenarios for restructuring parishes range from single parish pastoring, multi-parish pastoring and collaboratives. In order to accomplish this, there will be some parish mergers and some parish building closures recommended.
“There were significant comments from people saying that they didn’t know how to comment because they would have liked to have more explanation on what is a group, what is a merger,” Father Hartge said. “And we’re going to take that into consideration and provide better detail for round two of the process with parish pastors and key parish leaders.
“There were positive responses and then some concerns from people that communities would lose their identity with mergers and collaborations. They also wanted to know how schools would be included.”
While the idea of parish mergers and closures could be unsettling, Father Hartge found people to be generous and open to possible changes and also helpful in offering insights on which parishes are already working together.
“Some of the comments were also from people concerned about unrealistic demands on the clergy,” Father Hartge said. “That is a hopeful sign for us, that people do understand the limitations of time and energy on priests.”
During the sessions, questions arose about how evangelization and outreach fit into Real Presence Real Future.
“We’ve said many times that’s always been included in this,” Father Hartge emphasized. “Since those comments were made, we’ve made significant strides in some of the evangelization efforts.”
An evangelization leadership summit was held in early December at Columbus St. Elizabeth Church that featured Curtis Martin, the founder of Fellowship of Catholic University Students. In addition, the diocese recently hired a parish evangelization coordinator to complement its expanded outreach through social media channels.
During the fall sessions, Father Hartge served as the facilitator for eight parishes.
“The people were engaged,” he said. “One of their greatest concerns was the youth practicing the faith.
Whether the parish had a school or not, whether it’s children or grandchildren, they wanted young people in their families to practice the faith. And that was pretty consistent.”
Father Hartge acknowledged that some people expected more concrete answers regarding future plans, but he stressed that the fall sessions were consultative and informational by design and that the spring will be more informative.
“We had said in the fall sessions that we’re not here to come to a decision,” Father Hartge said. “We just want to present some information to people and hear from them. So some people were disappointed with the lack of, maybe, some of the ability to answer some specific questions. We certainly got an understanding of that from the feedback that they’re submitting.”
For the next sessions in March, pastors and key parish leaders will be invited to in-person sessions.
“Whereas in the first round, if parishes weren’t already grouped together, people are now going to see more suggestions for a merger and recommendations on deciding which buildings stay open,” Father Hartge explained.
One key element in the decision-making process will be Mass attendance. Father Hartge noted that the number of Sunday Mass-goers remains down 30% from the pre-pandemic levels.
“We need to put the resources in places that we can use them best,” Father Hartge said.
“In some areas, we can say people might be pleasantly surprised with some of the suggestions. And then we’ll communicate that to parishioners.”
Similar reorganizational efforts have taken place in dioceses throughout the country. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati recently settled on a new parish grouping structure under a common pastor. The Diocese of Pittsburgh went through a consolidation process within the past few years.
“Since our diocese is so diverse, a model that might fit another diocese is not going to fit here. It’s not a one size fits all,” Father Hartge said. “We’re doing our own thing.”
Now that Bishop Robert Brennan has moved on to the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York after initiating the Real Presence Real Future process, no final decisions will be made until his successor is in place. That could take months.
In the meantime, pastors and key parish leaders will be invited to provide more feedback.
“We’re still moving along with getting to the point of providing recommendations to (a new bishop),” Father Hartge said. “But we’re going to go at our own pace.
“We’re taking into consideration everything about our diocese, and if you see another diocese doing something, we’re not necessarily copying anyone. We’re trying to evaluate what we have here and do the right thing for the Diocese of Columbus.”