A certain "newspaper" which shall remain nameless but whose initials are "CSH" is again "misrepresenting" information (we are being kind here). We have shared the truth with you before (twice at least) and for truth's sake will give you the link to our most recent post on the subject.
The bottom line? The Catholic population in NJ has increased. You see, since the total population in the state has increased, there has been an increase in the religious diversity of the state, making the total Catholic percentage or proportion of the total population decrease. Numerically, there are many more Catholics in the state of NJ than ever before. 2.5% more since 1990, actually.
See link to this March 13, 2009 article in which we give you the numbers.
An aside regarding the artificially created priest shortage...
Oh, you may find this entertaining as well. Apparently those who resist the closure or merger of the parishes are now being "mean" to priests. (We won't even bother linking to the piece of junk disguised as journalism we refer to.) Boo hoo, cry me a river. All we ever do is encourage all Catholics to pray for priests! These are the men who counsel us, hear our confessions, and bring us the body and blood of Our Lord. As if we were the ones who decided to send dozens of priests out of the diocese, force retirements, forbid both religious priests from outside the diocese and Fraternity of St. Peter priests, create a priest shortage, and then overwork the ones who are left. Our new pastor at St. Mary's now has three churches and a high school to look after. He himself has told us that he has a near impossible situation since he does not yet know how to bilocate. Well we the lay faithful didn't create that situation--but we all know who did. These priests are being set up for failure. Why? To make legitimate the mergers and closures of our parishes and the institution of a lay-led, feel-good Church. Oh, and by the way, how precisely is the Diocesan Administration encouraging priestly vocations? What young man in his right mind would want to walk into the mess that is the Camden Diocese, anyway? May God help us and His Immaculate Mother pray for us!
Pray for the courage and faithfulness of your priests at this difficult time and always.
The bottom line? The Catholic population in NJ has increased. You see, since the total population in the state has increased, there has been an increase in the religious diversity of the state, making the total Catholic percentage or proportion of the total population decrease. Numerically, there are many more Catholics in the state of NJ than ever before. 2.5% more since 1990, actually.
See link to this March 13, 2009 article in which we give you the numbers.
An aside regarding the artificially created priest shortage...
Oh, you may find this entertaining as well. Apparently those who resist the closure or merger of the parishes are now being "mean" to priests. (We won't even bother linking to the piece of junk disguised as journalism we refer to.) Boo hoo, cry me a river. All we ever do is encourage all Catholics to pray for priests! These are the men who counsel us, hear our confessions, and bring us the body and blood of Our Lord. As if we were the ones who decided to send dozens of priests out of the diocese, force retirements, forbid both religious priests from outside the diocese and Fraternity of St. Peter priests, create a priest shortage, and then overwork the ones who are left. Our new pastor at St. Mary's now has three churches and a high school to look after. He himself has told us that he has a near impossible situation since he does not yet know how to bilocate. Well we the lay faithful didn't create that situation--but we all know who did. These priests are being set up for failure. Why? To make legitimate the mergers and closures of our parishes and the institution of a lay-led, feel-good Church. Oh, and by the way, how precisely is the Diocesan Administration encouraging priestly vocations? What young man in his right mind would want to walk into the mess that is the Camden Diocese, anyway? May God help us and His Immaculate Mother pray for us!
Pray for the courage and faithfulness of your priests at this difficult time and always.