Crisis in Inner-City Catholic Churches Introduction America's

America's inner-city Catholic Churches are in crisis, a crisis which can, at least in part, be redressed through the restructuring and reconfiguration of parishes (Murnion & Wenzel, 1989). This research addressed the crisis facing inner city Catholic parishes in two ways.

First, the study developed a structural model for the design and operation of inner-city Catholic parishes and churches in need of renewal and revitalization. Second (because restructuring, to be successful, must be acceptable), the acceptability of the developed model was assessed using a large sample of inner-city priests and parishioners.

Acceptability levels were computed for both groups (priests and parishioners) and comparisons were made for each of the recommended restructuring strategies. Based on the analysis of these acceptability ratings, several recommendations for structural changes were formulated for inner city Catholic parishes.

According to Kozol (1991), America's inner cities are in increasing jeopardy. These areas suffer from poverty, as well as segregated and unequal public education. Specifically, Kozol reports that there is a spiritual, racial, and economic isolation that plagues the inner cities, the hallmarks of which are the loss of factories and business in the areas, and the increase in gangs and gang violence.

Peterson (1985) echoes Kozol's (1991) remarks. Specifically, Peterson describes inner

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tural organization of parishes; and (2) the Catholic tradition and mission. According to Weakland (1989), the Catholic tradition involves a three-fold ministry: (1) Proclaiming and teaching the Word of God; (2) Prayer and Worship; and (3) Serving People. When each of these ministries is effectively functioning in a given parish, they are said to bring about virtuous living (Weakland, 1989). Is this not the answer to so many of the difficulties and problems affecting the nation's inner cities? Yet in order to effectively function in these ministries, Catholic parishes must be viable and cost-effective. Also, they must be compatible with the ethnic mix of the community, and structured in such a way that concerns about finances, personnel shortages, and so forth do not override the Church's ministerial mission. This need for appropriate structuring cannot be overestimated. The need for and importance of a cost-effective and well functioning organizational structure of a parish can be seen even in the criteria set up by many dioceses for their parishes' functioning. Indeed, an example of this relatedness between structure and effective ministerial functioning can be seen in the criteria set up by the Archbishop for inner ci

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