The Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano
By the Grace of God and the Authority of the Apostolic See
Bishop of Bridgeport
DECREE MERGING THE PARISHES OF
HOLY FAMILY, FAIRFIELD, CT
and ST. EMERY, FAIRFIELD, CT
In virtue of the office entrusted to me, I, the Most Reverend 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 heard the people of Holy Family Parish, Fairfield, CT and St. Emery Parish, Fairfield, CT, and having considered the law and the facts, and having heard all those whose rights may be harmed (c. 50) on September 7, 2019 and on December 3, 2019, and having ascertained from documents and deeds and consulted those concerned that there are no major donors or heirs to be heard, and having consulted the Council of Priests ( c. 515 §2) on December 23, 2019 and having determined that the good of the souls requires it,
ESTABLISH THAT
The above two parishes be so amalgamated through an extinctive union so as to form one new parish. This determination has been made to slrengthen the pastoral care of the people of God in this area of my diocese, 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.
- I also hereby decree that all the rights, obligations, and privileges of the members of Christian faithful domiciled in the territory of the above amalgamated parishes, accorded them by law or legitimately acquired, are to be transferred to and made part of Holy Family and St. Emery Parish.
- The territorial boundaries of the aforementioned parishes by this canonical decree shall be the boundaries of the former Holy Family Parish.
- The intentions of the founders and donors of the patrimony of Holy Family Parish, Fairfield, CT and of St. Emery Parish, Fairfield, Connecticut must be respected, in accordance with the law (c. 121 & 122).
- All sacramental registers and parish files of the amalgamated parishes are to be properly transferred to, preserved and safeguarded by Holy Family and St. Emery Parish, in accord with the norm of law.
- Both churches shall remain open.
This decree becomes effective on January 2, 2020.
This decree is to be communicated to the respective pastors who are the proper administrators of the two juridical persons that are being amalgamated. 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 23rd day of December 2019, at the Catholic Center, Bridgeport, Connecticut.
