By Chris Rickert, Wisconsin State Journal —
Citing reduced membership and Mass attendance, and sundry other indicators of what Bishop Donald Hying describes as an “increasingly post-Christian culture,” the Diocese of Madison is planning to roll out a major restructuring next year that would consolidate parishes and possibly sell off unused church property.
According to an “initial outline” released Oct. 1, the Diocese’s 102 parishes — including 135 churches and other associated buildings — would be consolidated into approximately 30 “pastorates,” or groupings of parishes, with “each under the leadership of a single Pastor and other priests collaborating with him and serving as Parochial Vicars.”