The Most Rev. Frank J. Caggiano
By the Grace of God and the Authority of the Apostolic See Bishop of Bridgeport
DECREE MERGING THE PARISHES OF
SAINT JOSEPH, NORWALK, CT
and
SAINT LADISLAUS, NORWALK, CT
In virtue of the office entrusted to me, I, the Most Rev. Frank J. Caggiano, Fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, duly concerned with the spiritual welfare of the souls entrusted to me, zealous of removing everything that may be detrimental to their well-being and desiring to promote everything becoming of their progress, having engaged with the people of Saint Joseph Parish, Norwalk, CT and Saint Ladislaus Parish, Norwalk, CT, having prayerfully considered the information presented to me, the law and the facts, having heard all those whose rights may be harmed (c. 50), on November 16 & 23, 2019, February 12 & 29, 2020, April 2, 2020 and June 2, 2020 and having ascertained from documents and deeds and consulted those concerned that there are no major donors or heirs to be heard, and having heard the Council of Priests (c. 515 §2) on January 23, 2020, and having determined that the good of the souls requires it,
ESTABLISH THAT
The above two parishes be merged through an extinctive union so as to form one parish. This determination has been made to strengthen the pastoral care of the people of God in this area of my diocese especially through mutual coordination in the common mission of the Church and the re-evangelization of youth and to address several trends that are of serious concern, including: diminished Mass attendance, lack of sustainability in the face of diminishing income, declining sacramental celebrations, and clergy availability. Also, to be noted is that, the two parishes are territorial adjacent.
Wherefore, I, the undersigned Bishop of Bridgeport, in virtue of c. 515 §2 of the Code of Canon Law, do hereby decree that Saint Joseph Parish, Norwalk, CT and Saint Ladislaus Parish, Norwalk, CT, which up until now have been independent parishes, be merged as to form one parish which will be named Saint Joseph and Saint Ladislaus Parish.
- I also hereby decree that all the rights, obligations and privileges of the members of Christian faithful domiciled in the territories of the now extinct Parishes of Saint Joseph, Norwalk, CT and Saint Ladislaus, Norwalk, CT, accorded to them by law or legitimately acquired, are to be transferred to and made part of Saint Joseph and Saint Ladislaus Parish.
- The territorial boundaries of the aforementioned parishes, by this canonical decree, shall be amalgamated to become the boundaries of the newly formed Saint Joseph and Saint Ladislaus Parish.
- Furthermore, the intentions of the founders and donors of the patrimony of Saint Joseph Parish, Norwalk, CT, and Saint Ladislaus Parish, Norwalk, CT, must be respected, in accordance with the law (c. 121 & 122).
- All sacramental registers, seals, and parish files of the amalgamated parishes are to be properly transferred to, preserved and safeguarded by Saint Joseph and Saint Ladislaus Parish in accord with the norm of law.
- The Church of Saint Joseph and the Church of Saint Ladislaus shall remain open as worship sites of the newly formed Saint Joseph and Saint Lad is la us Parish.
This decree will become effective on October 1, 2020, The Memorial of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church.
This decree is to be communicated to the Pastors who are the proper administrators of the two juridical persons that are being amalgamated into a new juridical person, as well as the freely appointed Pastor of the newly formed juridical person. It is also to be communicated to all interested persons, according to the norm of law ( c. 532). It may be challenged within the peremptory time limit of ten (10) days from the legitimate notification of the decree and in accordance with the norm of law ( c. 1734 §2).
Given this 19th day of June, 2020, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, at the Catholic Center, Bridgeport, Connecticut.
