Philadelphia archbishop unveils new evangelisation plan with 50 ‘missionary hubs’

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez of Philadelphia has unveiled a decade-long initiative to rejuvenate the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, focusing on evangelisation rather than parish closures amid declining numbers of faithful and active priests.

Jan 17, 2025

Archbishop Nelson J Perez (OSV News/Sarah Webb, courtesy Archdiocese of Philadelphia)


By Gina Christian
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez of Philadelphia has unveiled a decade-long initiative to rejuvenate the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, focusing on evangelisation rather than parish closures amid declining numbers of faithful and active priests.

In a pastoral letter titled An Invitation from Archbishop Pérez, announced during weekend Masses on January 5, he declared, “I didn’t come here to close parishes; I came here to build up the Church of Philadelphia.”

The plan introduces “missionary hubs” aimed at fostering outreach and engagement across the archdiocese, which includes 214 parishes and 274 priests serving 1.55 million Catholics over five counties. At least 50 hubs will be established in parishes and other locations, each supported by full-time staff, including service coordinators, event specialists, and missionaries. These hubs will not replace parishes but will be subsidised by private philanthropic funding to ensure long-term sustainability.

The initiative encourages dialogue through 46 scheduled conversation sessions between February and June, inviting Catholics to shape the archdiocese’s future. Additionally, the archbishop introduced the possibility of Parish Life Directors — lay individuals, deacons, or members of consecrated life — who will manage parish operations without a resident priest, working under an auxiliary bishop’s guidance.

This approach reflects strategies used in African parishes, where lay catechists manage mission stations under a pastor’s supervision. Archbishop Pérez emphasized that this model allows retired priests to focus on pastoral care and sacraments without administrative burdens, leveraging their wisdom and energy to support the Church’s mission.

The archbishop highlighted the urgency of the Church’s renewal, citing that 83 per cent of baptised Catholics do not attend Mass. He attributed this to social fragmentation, the clerical abuse crisis, and cultural drift, stating, “We need to have urgency around this.” Despite these challenges, Pérez expressed hope, saying, “Our hope is in the Risen Lord, Jesus Christ, who is always calling us home.”

Pérez acknowledged the strained relationships some Catholics feel with the Church, vowing, “We can do better. I can do better.” His vision focuses on inviting those who feel distant — whether through disillusionment or disengagement — back into the fold. “This is our shared mission: to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ’s love, mercy, and resurrection to a world that desperately needs it,” he said.

Drawing inspiration from Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium, Pérez called for “great flexibility” in reimagining parish life, aiming for a “pastoral change of heart” over the next 20 years. While he acknowledged the inevitability of some parish closures, he stressed that forming missionary disciples is paramount, saying, “Pastoral planning focusing solely on changing our current parish footprint will not cultivate that culture.”

The initiative is a culmination of Pérez’s five years of dialogue with Catholics in a region he has long served, first as a priest and later as archbishop. His message is clear: renewal requires collective effort, trust-building, and embracing the baptismal call to evangelise. “Your encounters can mark the beginning of their return,” Pérez said, emphasising that the Church’s future depends on openness, creativity, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. --OSV

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