Archdiocese Of St. Louis Targets St. Roch Parish For Closure（英文）

Summer 2023

此内容暂无简体中文译文，以下为英文原文。

St Roch Church, accompanying parish closure report.

Historical Summer 2023 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.

The Archdiocese of St. Louis has issued a decree to close St. Roch Parish, which they plan to be subsumed into the Christ the King Parish in University City.

This is not the same as closing the physical church, which will remain open.

In addition, there have been no decisions made by the Archdiocese to close the St. Roch Grade School.

The parish community sent an appeal last week via an official response from the Parish Council and The St. Roch School Board.

In addition, the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council sent a letter to the Archdiocese requesting they repeal the decree.

The Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council supported the Parish’s appeal and also argued that “Closing St. Roch Parish would cause direct and substantial harm to the Skinker DeBaliviere Neighborhood, our bordering communities, and St. Roch School, which serves an exceptionally diverse population.” The Parish appeal had five arguments against the closure, stating that the decree: 1. is inconsistent with representations made to St. Roch Parish 2. is based on incorrect information, demonstrating that St. Roch Finances are strong. 3. violates Canon 50 that states “[b]efore issuing a decree, an authority is to seek out the necessary information and proofs, and insofar as possible, to hear those whose rights can be injured.” 4. is inconsistent with the Evangelization Mission of the Church. 5. creates a disparate racial impact The letter from the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council reads as follows: Dear Archbishop Rozanski: On behalf of the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council (SDCC) and the SDCC Board of Directors, I am writing to request that you revoke your decree of May 28, 2023 regarding St. Roch Parish (the “St. Roch Decree”). Closing St. Roch Parish would cause direct and substantial harm to the Skinker DeBaliviere Neighborhood, our bordering communities, and St. Roch School, which serves an exceptionally diverse population. Skinker DeBaliviere is a vibrant and growing urban residential neighborhood that embraces the diversity of people, housing types, transit, and public spaces. • Development initiatives are increasing our population density. • We are diverse, with half of our residents identifying as people of color. • Skinker DeBaliviere is family-friendly, multi-generational, and active with cultural, faith based, social, service, and recreational pursuits. Our neighborhood vibrancy and diversity results directly from decades of resident and institution advocacy, including the advocacy from St. Roch. At no time has the archdiocese leadership directly sought impact assessments from community leaders of Skinker-DeBaliviere regarding the impacts of St. Roch potentially closing.

We greatly mourn the loss of Monsignor Polizzi and his incredible influence on our community since he came to our Parish in 1981.

We also cannot overlook that St. Roch has been a cornerstone of our community since its opening 1911 and will continue to be so in future years, if allowed. • In 1966, St. Roch was a founding institutional member of the SDCC, which represents all residents of our community and was created to foster and facilitate neighborhood development, education, social services. St. Roch remains an active Institutional member in the Council today and many Parish members continue to serve in leadership roles.

The SDCC is one of the oldest community councils in the City of St. Louis, serving as a model for other neighborhoods. • Saint Roch was a stabilizing force in our community through the turmoil of the 60s to 80s, as our neighborhood overcame neighborhood blight and institutional redlining. • St. Roch has not been just a communing location for Catholics, but a center of gathering, education and service for our entire community. St. Roch hosts numerous community events and activities.

In fact, many in the community speak to the St. Roch Social Catholic population that participate in as many Church events as parishioners. • St. Roch is a strategic partner with Skinker DeBaliviere as we implement its Master Plan that was adopted by the City of St. Louis in 2017.

The Plan focuses on maintaining our rich diversity while increasing population density and strengthening our position as a walkable neighborhood.

The SDCC is extremely concerned that the decision to close St. Roch was based on biased information.

It is also troubling that the majority of the closures and consolidations occurred in North St. Louis City and North St. Louis County. • Contrary to what was stated in the Decree, St. Roch is financially viable according to their Finance committee.

The decision to close St. Roch appears to be based on incomplete financial information. • There was disproportionate bias counting Mass and sacramental participation during COVID. St. Roch had an elderly priest who was limited in his ability to offer Masses and sacraments. • The Skinker DeBaliviere neighborhood is growing with recent and planned development, which will drive increased participation in the Parish and community. • St. Roch School is the only Parish elementary school located within the city limits and north of Highway 64.

It provides a welcoming environment to students (Pre-K to 8th Grade) of diverse religious, cultural, racial and social economic backgrounds. St. Roch students draw from over 30 zip codes, many from the city. Approximately 45% of students are not Catholic and 50% are people of color.

To continue in its path of delivering high quality education to a diverse set of students while operating in the city, St. Roch School needs Parish Leadership that can focus on school needs. • Closing city Parishes creates disproportionate barriers for city residents to celebrate their faith or access Parish schools. Many city residents depend upon public Transportation and walking to access resources. Skinker DeBaliviere has been designated by the City as a transit-oriented district with three MetroLink Stops and four bus routes, (including a route that passes the Parish). One should not have to have a car in the City to celebrate ones faith. • Students receiving Today and Tomorrow Scholarship grants was used as a justification for financial concerns with St. Roch.

These scholarships are in fact open to all Catholic School students and are funded by external sources. Skinker DeBaliviere applauds that the Today and Tomorrow program recognizes that Scholarships change the equation for success, improve the lives of children and strengthen the community.

As our city communities face crises due to poverty, crime, racial inequities and gun violence, St Roch’s mission to drive community engagement and stability must continue.

A parish must be present in the community to impact it. Thank you for your consideration of our appeal.

The letter was signed by Executive Director Mike Reid and endorsed by the Board of Directors.

The Parish and Community are waiting on the results of the appeal to the decree.