Shrewsbury plans to cluster more parishes

By Citra Sidhu and Paul Burnell
THE LARGE-tit ALE "clustering" of parishes under individual priests is among the main features of a radical plan to re-organise the Diocese of Shrewsbury.
Besides parishes sharing priests, the shake-up is also likely to involve the sale of property, with communities having to also share buildings with other denominations.
The proposals for the next decade are outlined in a White Paper, or policy document, called Pastoral and Property Review, which was published this month.
Bishop Brian Noble of Shrewsbury stressed that while the diocese continued to "hope and pray" for a resurgence irt the number of vocations, it had to respond to a "contracting and ageing Clergy", as well as declining Mass attendance and increased lay involvement.
The diocese's Green Paper, circulated last November for consultation, had made recommendations which included a response to a predicted shortfall of about 29 priests, by selling 36 buildings, including churches, and clustering parishes.
The White Paper does not suggest how far the proposals would be implemented, though Fr Peter Montgomery, diocese spokesman, insisted that trustees had "seriously considered" the needs of individual communities.
He said: "There has been a considerable scaling down of the proposals for closing buildings since the consultation, which shows a positive response to people's contributions. Remember it's a 10 year document. It simply flags up the possibility of things that could happen. No definite decisions on the sale of buildings have been made."
He added: "Simultaneously with the White Paper, the bishop has appointed an episcopal vicar responsible fur ecumenism and mission.
"The evangelisation programme in Wythenshawe demonstrates that each area was given a chance to develop their own response. Some parishes have taken a more imaginative response, while others are trying to cling to their previous situation.
"A real upturn in the number of people attending Mass could strengthen a case for keeping a building or even rebuilding. The document is not a fait accomplit. it is a serious attempt to respond to reality."
One of the more controversial proposals, the clustering of three parishes in Stalybridge. Cheshire, where they would be served by a single priest, was shelved after angry protests from parishioners.
Fr Donal Dwyer of St Peter's, Stalybridge, said: "The trustees made a decision and said take it or leave it. Stalybridge is in the middle of a multi-million pound development scheme, so everybody has reacted to this, not just Catholics."
The diocese has also been accused of putting financial and property interests ahead of pastoral concerns, and critics believe that little has been proposed practically to encourage vocations and increase Mass attendance. Some fear a reduction in the number of Masses because of clustering would in fact further deter people from going to Church on Sunday.
"The White Paper was supposed to release capital for alternative uses like evangelisation," said Kevin McKenna, a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Cheadle Heath, Stockport, which will be clustered with Our Lady's in nearby Shaw Heath.
"Only in Wythenshawe has this been mentioned. The parishioners here need to accept the issues facing the hierarchy, but the hierarchy needs to accept that the laity must be involved in mission."