Guarda: Bispo propõe centralizar Missas dominicais nas novas unidades pastorais para revitalizar comunidades

Bishop José Miguel Pereira of Guarda proposes centralizing Sunday Masses within new pastoral units to revitalize local communities. Speaking at the third Diocesan Assembly, the bishop suggested creating centralized hubs for Sunday celebrations to ensure they remain meaningful gatherings for families and different ministries.

The proposal addresses a shortage of clergy in the diocese, which has lost 11 parish priests over the last 18 months due to one death and 10 retirements due to advanced age. Pereira noted that if the territorial reorganization does not occur, the diocese may lose the ability to guarantee Sunday Masses across its current network.

To address concerns that people might lose local access to worship, the bishop suggested that parishes could continue holding weekday Masses in smaller locations. He argued that Sunday Masses need more density to attract people, noting that small groups of 10 to 30 people often struggle to manage readings or communal singing.