The Diocese of Grand Rapids, Michigan, announced on June 29, 2025, a restructuring plan that will merge parishes in the face of a priest shortage. / Credit: Snehit Photo/Shutterstock
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jul 10, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).
TheDioceseofGrandRapids,Michigan,hasannouncedarestructuringprocessasitfacesashortageofpriests.
Theannouncementofthe“RootedinChristPastoralPlanningProcess”comesayearafterBishopJohnWalkowiakissuedanurgentdiocesan-wideappealtoprayforanincreaseinvocationsinthediocese,whichhashadjustoneordinationtothepriesthoodinthelasttwoyears.
“In2024,wehadonepriestlyordination.In2025,sevenpastorswereeithergrantedseniorprieststatusorreassignedoutsidetheDioceseofGrandRapids,andtherewerenopriestlyordinations,”thediocesesaidinaJune29statement.“Giventhisreality,thePresbyteralCouncilandpriestsofthedioceseurgedBishopWalkowiaktotakeahardlookatwhatisrequiredforthewell-beingofourparishcommunitiesandpriests.”
Thepriestshortagehasforcedmanyprieststotakeontheresponsibilityofshepherdingtwotothreeparish
