Large parishes in the diocese of Mainz: a new way to the community
Large parishes in the diocese of Mainz: a new way to the community
On January 19, 2025, three new large parishes of the diocese of Mainz will be launched in Mainz, Bingen and Nierstein with solemn services. This foundation is part of the so -called "pastoral path", which pursues the restructuring of the diocese and reacts to the both stagnant and declining number of members.
The new large parish "St. Elisabeth Mainz and Budenheim" is led by Pastor Thorsten Geiß and comprises five previously independent communities, including four in the Mainz urban area. This important project reflects the challenges in front of which the diocese is facing. The falling church tax revenue and the loss of members are the drivers of this fundamental restructuring.
founding services and new parishes
The founding services are characterized by a high level of participation. In Mainz-Gonsenheim, the ceremony starts at 10 a.m. with around 80 participants, including Vicar General Sebastian Lang and 40 choir singers. In Bingen, the new parish "Saint Hildegard von Bingen, Rhein and Nahe" is founded, whose service is managed by Bishop Peter Kohlgraf. Here eleven smaller parishes come together.
In addition, at 3 p.m. in Nierstein, the service for the large parish "Resurrection of Christ, Rhein-Selz" takes place, which consists of 14 municipalities. The pastoral path has started for several years and includes far -reaching concepts for the future design of the pastoral in the diocese.
experiences from the first parishes
A positive interim balance sheet draws the large parish "St. Maria Magdalena Ingelheim" after a year of its foundation, despite the challenges that were associated with the changes. Around 1,600 services were offered here in the first year, and the number of complaints has not increased significantly.
The reform measures include the choice of new parish councils that take on the tasks of the original parish priest. This community leadership takes place by a team made of a pastor, a coordinator or a coordinator and an administrative manager. The responsibilities and rights of the parish councils and church administrative councils are taken into account.
Data for further development
As early as January 1, 2024, new parishes were founded in five pilot pastoral rooms, including:
- st. Maria Magdalena Ingelheim
- hl. Langen-Egelsbach-Erzhausen family
- hl. Edith Stein Lorsch-Einhausen
- st. Francis Offenbach
- hl. Johannes XXIII Viernheim
The services of these new parishes were under the direction of Bishop Peter Kohlgraf or Auxiliary Bishop Dr. Udo Markus Bentz celebrated.
These developments in the diocese of Mainz are part of a broader examination that deals with the demographic change and the declining church affiliation in Germany. According to a publication on these topics, there are similar challenges that can also affect religious education.
In summary, it can be seen that the restructuring of the parishes in the diocese of Mainz is not only a reaction to current challenges, but should also lay the basis for a sustainable pastoral in the region. It is now crucial for the municipalities to adapt to the new conditions and to actively shape the community management.Further information on the foundation of the new parishes can be found on the pages of Tagesschau Pastoral concepts on Diocese of Mainz . The demographic challenges are also dealt with in scientific work, such as the investigation published in the Journal of Education and Theology.
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