Our shrinking church

John Swann

[s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)]Reading an article recently on the rapidly shrinking church in the Netherlands and the effect it is having on priests prompted me to think about a similar experience of many priests here in Australia. Like the church in Holland we too have diminishing congregations, a shortage of priests, amalgamation of parishes, closing of some churches, and all this does create stress for our clergy.

I recently attended a presentation by Bob Dixon, formerly of the ACBC Pastoral Research Office, who gave a depressing picture of the Church in Australia. Not only do we have a declining number of Catholics but the age profile shows an ageing cohort of attendees but declining numbers of young people. And while over 50% of Catholic children attend Catholic schools only about 4% are parish Mass-goers.

This year we have farewelled 10 priests in our diocese, all aged men but they had continued to ministry well into retirement. We are fortunate to have several overseas priests to help us, but many of us are uncomfortable in bringing priests from countries where there may be a greater need than here.

As in many parts of Australia we have parishes merging and closing of some churches. Now some priests can feel they are seen as ogres rather than the bearer of good news. Despite the best efforts in consultation, in the mind of some people the priest may be seen as the angry manager who has to close things down by order of the bishop.

Merging parishes usually caries extra demands on the priest, having to celebrate three or even four Masses over the weekend, and in the country the need to travel sometimes large distances between Masses adds an extra stress.

In my “retirement” I have been assisting in a parish that has eight Mass centres, some over 100Km apart. Celebrating Mass in one centre and then having to rush off to the next is something I find discomforting as it does not allow you to mingle with people after Mass enabling them to raise questions or issues, or simply to get to know you are a person, not simply as a so-called “mass-machine”.

Today there is growing concern for the wellbeing of clergy – physically, mentally and spiritually. Priests do need to care for themselves, to have some time to themselves, time for rest and relaxation … and not to be caught up in negativity.[/s2If]