Basically, Things Aren’t Going So Well for Philly Catholics

The New York Times published a piece on Sunday chronicling the slew of problems facing the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Monsignor William Lynn was convicted on Friday of endangering children, Archbishop Charles Chaput recently announced that he’s cutting 45 staffers and shutting down a nationally known publication, church leaders have closed 27 schools…their pets’ heads are falling off.

Faced with an unheard-of $17 million deficit this year — worsened by millions of dollars in legal fees — Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, who arrived in September, announced last week that he was closing the youth office, shutting down the nationally known monthly newspaper and laying off 45 archdiocese employees. He has put the archbishop’s 13,000-square-foot mansion up for sale.

Matthew Gambino, former editor of The Catholic Standard and Times (he now edits the official website), has taken notice that it might be time for things to start looking up for area Catholics, though.

“A lot of times in life you have to hit rock bottom before you can pull yourself up again,” he said. “I think people are ready to move forward.”