Parishes to merge
By ROBERT LINNEHAN
The Cherry Hill Sun
4/18/2008

Four Cherry Hill parishes merge, with more changes possibly on the way in the future

Following Bishop Joseph Galante’s announcement on April 3, at least four parishes in Cherry Hill Township will be merged because of fledgling attendance and a lack of priests in the Camden Diocese.

Galante announced the closure or merging of 58 parishes in Camden County. Included in the announcement was his decision to merge St. Peter Celestine, and Queen of Heaven with the worship site at St. Peter Celestine as well as his decision to merge St. Pius X and Holy Rosary with the worship site of St. Pius X.

He also announced intentions to cluster St. Mary and St. Thomas More in the township. Christ the King parish in Haddonfield will remain as a stand-alone church.

The bishop consulted with an 18-member Diocesan Planning Commission and the diocesan Presbyterial Council, an advisory council of 13 priests, before announcing his decision. The bishop is required under church law to consult with the Presbyterial Council and to obtain its advice in instances where a parish may be “altered notably” through merger, boundary change or some other configuration.

The new configurations will not happen immediately, but will occur over the next 12 to 24 months, depending on location and transition issues involved.

“I know that these are serious challenges. But I believe that far greater are the opportunities for our parishes to become dynamic life-giving centers for the practice of our faith if we take bold action together, confident that the Spirit is guiding us on our way,” Galante said. “What is not an option is inaction. What is not an option at this time is leaving things alone and hoping for the best. We’ve tried that for too many years, and it doesn’t work.”

The question now remains what will become of the property when the parishes in the township merge.

Spokesperson for the Camden Diocese Andrew Walton said the newly formed parishes would have the final say on what will become of the property.

When the parishes merge, Walton said, the assets and liabilities would belong to the newly formed organizations.

“The decision on the disposition of property and assets would be determined by the newly formed entities,” Walton said. “The new parish, under the leadership of its pastor, would consult with the newly constituted finance and parish councils to make a decision regarding its assets.”

The Camden Diocese would not own any property left vacant after the mergers, Walton said.

A representative from the Holy Rosary Parish said it was far too early to determine what will happen with the land when the church merges with St. Pius X. The church is not scheduled to merge with St. Pius X for another year or two, the representative said.

A representative from the Queen of Heaven Parish could not be reached to discuss what will happen with the church property.

For more information and up to date information, please visit the Camden Diocese Web site at camdendiocese.org.