Detroit archdiocese losing $42k a day, lays off 1/3 of staff

Long-overdue budget cuts for the Catholic Church in motor city:

The Archdiocese of Detroit announced major cuts today, slashing its central staff by 29% because of a $14.5-million operating deficit, a spokesman said.

It will reduce its central staff from 264 to 187, one of the biggest reductions in years, said Joe Kohn, an official with the archdiocese. And it plans to sell the Gabriel Richard building on Michigan Avenue in downtown Detroit, one of its main offices.

The archdiocese oversees 1.4 million Catholics in metro Detroit, the largest religious denomination in the region. But the slumping economy has taken its toll on the church's financial and property investments. And tithing is down between 5% and 10%, compared to previous years.

In a meeting today at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in downtown Detroit, Archbishop Allen Vigneron announced the changes. (Detroit Free Press)

Also on the chopping block: the Michigan Catholic, which will no longer receive a subsidy from the archdiocese.

Please pray for the Catholic Church in Detroit. I have many ties there.

Cool: Detroit's Archbishop blogs from Rome

From the Archdiocese of Detroit website:

"Archbishop Allen Vigneron next week will embark on a pilgrimage to receive a pallium -- a thin, woolen scarf, that symbolizes an archbishop's mission to shepherd God's people. Archbishop Vigneron will carry prayers for the people of the Archdiocese in his heart as he journeys to receive his pallium from Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican on June 29."

More than that, he will be blogging from Rome at http://aodonline.wordpress.com/!

Other contributers will include a Vicar General of the Detroit archdiocese, the archbishop's 10-year old nephew, a local lay woman who is a long time friend of the archbishop, and a couple of folks in the archdiocesan communications division.

I love to see Archbishops carrying their flock with them, not just in their hearts, but through their words.

V is for Vigneron!

Yesterday, on the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, Bp. Allen Vigneron became the 5th Archbishop of Detroit.

EWTN has his homily text. Catholic blogger Dianne has local coverage, including photos. I thought it interesting to see Cardinal George standing next to Cardinal "under federal investigation" Mahony.

The Detroit Free Press also has a photo gallery of the installation Mass. Here's my favorite photo:

Gimme that ol' time apostolic succession!

Two random notes: Detroit has 1.4 million Catholics. Vigneron is a spry 60.

Local press coverage:

• Detroit Free Press (plenty!): Vigneron installed as new Detroit archbishop, Archbishop-designate Vigneron aims to defend teachings, build harmony, Vigneron to touch on faith, ethics, bonds in ceremony
• Detroit News: Archbishop Vigneron installed, Live God's will, new archbishop tells crowd

update: Diane has a magnificent photopost up, with many "behind-the-scenes" shots.

Bp. Vigneron to take over Detroit?

Tucked at the bottom of a posting on Oakland's new Cathedral opening, Whispers drops non-too-subtle hints that Bishop Vigneron might be coming back home to take over Detroit after Cardinal Maida retires:

On an in-house note, with Cardinal Adam Maida approaching his 79th birthday early next year, there are those who maintain that today's rites won't just open the doors to Oakland's new mother-church, but the long-delayed appointment of a new archbishop of Detroit... since today's a day to celebrate what is, though, more on the rest later.

Just so you know the latest. I've lost track of the number of times I've heard rumors about Cardinal Maida's appointee being announced. Bp. Vigneron would make sense on several levels however ... we'll see.

Notice: Retired Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit Walter Schoenherr passed away

Thanks to reader Tim for providing a link to the notice at the Archdiocese of Detroit website:

Retired Auxiliary Bishop Walter J. Schoenherr, 87, dies of natural causes. Ordained a priest for the Detroit archdiocese in 1945, he was named an auxiliary bishop in 1968. He served in a number of parish assignments, including as pastor of St. Aloysius and Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, both in Detroit. Commenting on the life and ministry of Bishop Schoenherr, Cardinal Adam Maida, archbishop of Detroit, notes that "he made the pastoral care of his brother priests his highest priority. Losing Bishop Schoenherr," the cardinal continues, "feels like losing a good friend, someone you could always count on for down-to-earth wisdom and spiritual encouragement." [more...]

Related links:

• News Release (PDF)
• Biography of Bishop Schoenherr (PDF)
• Michigan Catholic: 'He's a very humble person, very spiritual'
• Bishop Schoenherr on CTND
• Maida sent this letter to the priests of the AOD (PDF)
• Bishop Schoenherr's Catholic Heirarchy Page
• Detroit News coverage
• Detroit Free Press coverage

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him!