Amid all the conversations I’ve had about what is emerging in the church [1] there’s the occasional reality check like this story from the Diocese of Madison which is being forced because of finances to close a well-known multi-cultural center that serves one of the city’s poorest neighborhood [2]:

“The actions, according to a media release from the diocese, are being taken ‘to address the long-term decline in the diocesen portfolio as well as increased cost of services provided by the diocese.’”

No one can argue with economic realities, but one wonders when, at a national level, we’ll begin the conversation about the implications of an ever diminishing Catholic presence in some of our cities.