May 23, 2014

Connected in the Spirit decisions available on archdiocesan website

Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin speaks at a press conference on May 21 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. (Photo by Sean Gallagher)

Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin speaks at a press conference on May 21 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. (Photo by Sean Gallagher)

Criterion staff report

Though the newspaper went to press before the May 21 press conference announcing Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin’s decisions concerning the Indianapolis deaneries that recently completed the Connected in the Spirit planning process, a press release and accompanying information about the decisions are posted on the archdiocesan website at www.archindy.org/connected.

For the past 16 months, pastoral leaders and lay representatives from the 47 parishes in four Indianapolis deaneries have been meeting to discern where God is leading the Church in central and southern Indiana, and to discuss how the Archdiocese of Indianapolis should change its structures in order to carry out its mission today and in the future.

After receiving recommendations from the pastoral and lay representatives of the parishes, Archbishop Tobin also consulted with the Archdiocesan Planning Commission, the Council of Priests and the senior managers of the archdiocese.

The Terre Haute and Batesville deaneries have completed the Connected in the Spirit planning process, which resulted in the merging of some parishes, the linking of some parishes by sharing a pastor, and the connecting of other parishes by creating joint programs, ministries and committees.

The remaining five deaneries of the archdiocese will eventually also take part in Connected in the Spirit. †

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