PENNSYLVANIA
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
By Peter Smith / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Greensburg Bishop Lawrence Brandt often recites a quote attributed to the 19th-century English Cardinal John Henry Newman: “To live is to change, and to have lived long is to have changed often.”
Things have changed, and changed often, in the decade in which Bishop Brandt has led the Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg.
He has overseen the wrenching closings and mergers of numerous parishes and schools; strategic planning sessions; a capital campaign that exceeded its goal; sometimes-controversial spending decisions; and a growing use of foreign priests and permanent deacons in the face of declining ranks in the pulpits and pews.
Whether such changes have been for the better has been debated from cyberspace to the Vatican, which is considering a last-ditch appeal by Fayette County parishioners who want their churches reopened.
More change is in store when Bishop Brandt, as required under church law, submits his resignation upon turning age 75 on Thursday. Typically, a pope takes months or even years before accepting a bishop’s resignation and naming a successor. …
A group called Ambrosians of Greensburg — named for the ancient Bishop Ambrose of Milan, who was chosen by popular acclamation — has launched an online petition (greensburgsnextbishop.org) for greater lay input into the next bishop’s selection. The group wants the Vatican to ask locals for names of potential candidates — rather than just checking references on a nominee submitted by insiders.
Thomas Severin of Ambrosians said Pope Francis’ call for a “church for the poor” has inspired many. “Perhaps a bishop [in Greensburg] could foster that same attitude.”
Tom Balya of Greensburg, who attends Blessed Sacrament Cathedral and put his name on the petition, added: “A lot of folks have felt a sense of marginalization under this bishop. I’m a baby boomer. I know countless baby boomers who were educated in Catholic schools who don’t participate in churches anymore for a number of reasons. I certainly wouldn’t lay it all on this current bishop’s lap, but he didn’t help.”
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