Rev. Robert J. Brennan Bishop | Diocese of Brooklyn

Changes in the spiritual practices among the faithful, a decrease in available clergy and men and women in consecrated life, changes in the general population within our Diocese, as well as concerns regarding temporal matters have affected the means by which the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been proclaimed within the Diocese of Brooklyn. In an effort to respond in the best possible way to the gifts of the Holy Spirit generously given to us in our current situation, I have overseen a comprehensive pastoral plan, which included the whole of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

In an effort to evangelize more effectively the community in Brooklyn, as well as to administrate the temporal goods of the faithful more efficiently, Reverend Frank C. Tumino, Pastor of Saint Augustine, located at 116 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11217, and also Pastor of Saint Francis Xavier, located at 225 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11215, petitioned that they be canonically merged.

In keeping with the requirements of the Universal Law of the Church, the Presbyteral Council was consulted on April 11, 2024 (Canon 515 § 2), and after having heard the reasons for the proposed merger its members expressed their support for this action. In addition, after having consulted the territorial Episcopal Vicars, clergy, pastoral ministers and other members of the faithful of the parishes involved:

"I, the undersigned Bishop of Brooklyn," hereby declare and decree that "the Parishes of Saint Augustine and Saint Francis Xavier," both within "the Diocese of Brooklyn," shall be merged to form one Parish.

This merger shall take effect on July 1, 2024, at which time "the public juridic persons" of Saint Augustine – Saint Francis Xavier shall be merged. Recourse action may be sought according to "the norms" of Canons 1732 to 1739 "of the 1983 Code" of Canon Law.

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