Green Bay Diocese sign July 14, 2022. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Four parishes in the Diocese of Green Bay will not merge after all.
Back in January, Bishop David Ricken ordered St. Joseph, St. Jude, St. Patrick and The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to join together to form a single parish entity.
According to Ricken, a half dozen individuals from St. Jude Parish met with him and “made recourse against [his] decree.” In a statement Feb. 25, Ricken said he “heard their objections, sought additional information as necessary and prayerfully reflected on these matters before God.”
As a result, Ricken rescinded his order for the merger, saying:
Having judged that the common good of the faithful and the spiritual welfare of the parish communities concerned would be better served at this time by a different course of action.
The Diocese says the four parishes will remain separate and linked as they currently are. However, over the next year, the lay leadership of each parish and their pastors should work together to “further discern the future structure and mission of their parish communities.”
That includes consideration of “the condition and sustainability of parish infrastructure” and the “stability and strength of parish finances.”
By Jan. 1, 2027, a written recommendation that “clearly articulate[s] their discerned judgment regarding the future parish structure” must be submitted to Ricken. At that point, he will further ponder the matter and, if necessary, issue a new decree.
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