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	Camden: Priests Named to Oversee Parish Mergers The Daily Journal August 26, 2008 http://www.thedailyjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080826/NEWS01/80826006 Bishop Joseph Galante this morning announced the appointments of 41 "priest conveners," leaders who will help guide Camden Diocese parishes through a two-year merger process. Galante, in a letter to parishioners today, indicated that the priest conveners are likely to "be the pastors of the new parishes once they (the new parishes) are established by decree." But "current pastors and administrators will remain in place in the meantime to oversee the pastoral care of the people as parish life continues," Galante wrote. "The conveners, in collaboration with pastors, administrators and a core team of parishioners from the merging parishes, will focus on the specific work related to parish merger(s)." The convener appointments are the latest step in the merger process, which Galante announced in April. He wants to reduce the number of Camden Diocese parishes from 124 to 66 within two years. In the Cumberland County area: Monsignor Victor Muro has been named the priest convener for St. Francis Assisi and Immaculate Heart of Mary, both in Vineland. Monsignor John Burton have been named priest convener for the merger of St. Isidore and Sacred Heart, both in Vineland. And, the Rev. Paul Olszewski has been named priest convenor for the merger of St. Mary Magdalen and St. John Bosco, both in Millville, and St. Anthony Mission in Port Norris. The Rev. Ariel Hernandez and the Rev. Michael Spagnolo have been named priest co-convenors for the merger of St. Teresa of Avila, Immaculate Conception, both in Brigeton, St. Michael, in Cedarville, and St. Mary, in Rosenhayn. The cutbacks and reconfiguration reflect a worsening priest shortage, church officials have said. Locally, the number of active diocesan priests is expected to fall from 162 to 85 or fewer by 2015. All active priests in the diocese were asked in May to indicate their choices for ministerial assignments, according to the diocese. Those looking to lead a merged parish were asked to list three choices by preference. Decisions were based "on the ministerial skills of the priests and the pastoral needs of the parishes," the diocese said in a statement. The process included more than 40 meetings between board representatives and parish leadership to assess the needs of each parish. Each merger will take effect when Galante issues a formal decree. The process is likely to be completed for all parishes by April 2010. The Rev. Terry Odien, the diocesan vicar for clergy, said in a statement that church officials were working "in a way that is pastorally sensitive to our parishioners who are most affected by the change."? Others see it differently.? Members of the Council of Parishes for Southern New Jersey, a grassroots opposition group, have called for "an immediate halt to the bishop’s church and school closure programs in the diocese." Odien said priests from abroad and from religious orders are "on loan" to help the diocese, but "there are no guarantees on their future service." "It is natural to want to retain that which we’ve enjoyed in the past," he said. "The number of priests that will be available for ministry in the future will make this impossible." The recon-figuration also is needed in part due to population changes and a need to revitalize parish life, Galante has said.
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