Most Catholics religiously identify with their parish rather than the diocese to which it belongs. That is certainly understandable since most Catholics live their religious life, receive their Sacraments and worship in their own territorial parish. The “parish” is a more concrete reality than the “diocese,” which is more abstract. For most Catholics, the parish is “the Church.”
The death of His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop Emeritus of Chicago, saddens me greatly. During his 17-year tenure as leader of the 2.3 million Catholics in Chicago, Cardinal George was a faithful member of the Board of Trustees of The Catholic University of America in Washington. He served in that capacity during my entire term as president there.
Every year at this time I draw up the list of those pastors and priests who will be transferred from one parish to another. This “list” follows a lengthy process of consultation, discussion and advice.