Courier Post
Galante: Reorganization will make diocese stronger
Courier-Post file
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007702100354
Saturday, February 10, 2007
By KIM MULFORD
Courier-Post Staff
CHERRY HILL
The Camden Diocese's ongoing reorganization will strengthen it for at least the next 10 years, Bishop Joseph A. Galante said Friday.
In a wide-ranging conversation with the Courier-Post Editorial Board on Friday, Galante offered his thoughts on topics ranging from the war in Iraq to immigration.
But the 68-year-old leader of the Camden Diocese asked to meet with the editors primarily to discuss the school and parish planning process affecting Catholics in all six counties of South Jersey.
Because of declining numbers of priests, changing demographics and decreased school enrollment, the diocese plans to reduce the number of schools and parishes.
The diocese saw a 43 percent drop in active priests between 1995 and 2005, the greatest decline in the nation. It has 172 active priests serving 124 parishes. The diocese expects to lose half of those men in the next decade.
"It's time to face these realities and it's time to deal with them," said Galante.
To help him plan the future of the diocese, Galante has enlisted the help of parishioners.
Decisions regarding 124 parishes and 35 elementary schools will be announced early next year. This week, the diocese announced two Gloucester County schools would be closed in a consolidation move.
New facilities will be built in areas that are now underserved, Galante said. The diocese is negotiating to buy property in southern Gloucester County for a new high school. A new school will open next year in Pomona to accommodate 500 students. A new church in Pomona will open next year with seating for 1,500.
Galante answered questions on other topics during the hourlong meeting:
Camden: Galante said he is committed to providing Catholic education to children in the city and wants to do more to serve the city's poorest students. He called Camden's public schools "a disgrace."
"The situation in Camden just appalls me," he said. "I don't understand why there's not more outrage."
Immigration: Galante said undocumented workers should be treated with compassion.
"What I want to see is a change in our immigration laws so that more people can be documented," Galante said.
Iraq War: Though he supports the U.S. troops now serving in Iraq, Galante said the war is wrong and unjust. American action there has destabilized the region and caused the deaths of thousands on both sides, he said.
"I don't think we should be there," he said, adding that he does not support President Bush's plan to send more troops in.
New Jersey: Galante condemned political corruption in the state, laws that allow people to hold multiple state offices and jobs, high property taxes and the "exploitation of all people here."
