Diocese of Speyer: Massive structural reform with only nine new parishes!

Diocese of Speyer: Massive structural reform with only nine new parishes!

The diocese of Speyer is facing a drastic restructuring that will redefine its entire history and current reality. How DOME RADIO reports, the diocese has presented its revised draft for structural reform. One of the biggest changes: The previously 70 parishes will be combined into just nine large parish units. This reform is not only an organizational measure, but also a response to the dwindling financial and human resources as well as the decline in the number of believers.

Background of the reform

Vicar General Markus Magin describes the upcoming changes as “tremendous”. This reform has become necessary because the existing parishes can no longer function as viable structures. The observed decline in the number of believers and the associated financial bottlenecks call for a new approach. A central aspect of the reform will be to fundamentally redefine the term “parish”. The new parish, canonical and organizational units are intended to strengthen local pastoral care by promoting proximity to the communities.

The new structures

The nine planned parishes are based on the boundaries of the ten existing deaneries. An important change here is the merger of the Kusel and Kaiserslautern deaneries into a single parish. In the new system, a distinction is made between parishes as organizational units and communities as places of pastoral proximity. The formation of new committees is planned, including a four-person executive parish board, parish conferences and community teams that are intended to strengthen local pastoral care, as at the Website of the Diocese of Speyer is held.

The path to reform

The reform did not happen overnight; it was developed through extensive consultation and feedback processes. A first concept draft was published last fall under the title “You should be a blessing.” Over 3,500 responses were collected from various groups and individuals, which indicates broad participation. This process will continue. Two digital information events are planned on November 6th and 13th to present the revised draft to full-time and volunteer workers in the diocese.

outlook

The diocese leadership expects that this reform will relieve pastors of administrative tasks, which will give them more time for actual pastoral care. Another goal is to reduce the gap between church and believers and to restore the credibility of the institutional church. The synodal consultation formats are to be continued in all ten deaneries until spring 2026, before the final concept is approved by the diocesan assembly in November 2025. If everything goes according to plan, the reform will come into force in 2027 katholisch.de reported.

Changes in the church are often a hotly debated topic, but the Diocese of Speyer is determined to navigate the future with a breath of fresh air and a clear vision. All believers are invited to actively participate in the consultation process in order to make the church fit for the coming challenges.