RE: St. Mary Parish, Davenport

February 8, 2020

NEWS - For Immediate Release

DIOCESE OF DAVENPORT 
Department of Communication 
Deacon David Montgomery, Chancellor 
Diocese of Davenport 
PHONE:  563-888-4222 [email protected]
RE:  St. Mary Parish, Davenport 

From Bishop Zinkula: 

After prayerful consideration and out of concern for the good of souls and the needs of the Church, I have determined that St. Mary Parish, Davenport, will merge into St. Anthony Parish, Davenport, with only the parish of St. Anthony remaining, effective July 1, 2020.  The decree announcing this merger will be published in The Catholic Messenger on February 13, 2020. 

Over the past eighteen months, I have met with representatives of St. Mary Parish, clergy of the Davenport Deanery, pastors of the neighboring parishes, the Diocesan Priests Personnel Board and the Diocesan Presbyteral Council.  A committee of St. Mary parishioners and the sacramental priest of St. Mary met with neighboring parishes.  Representatives of the three groups of parishioners of St. Mary (Anglo, Latino and Latin) separately agreed that St. Anthony Parish was the logical parish with which to be merged.  They felt warmly welcomed by the pastor and staff of St. Anthony.  I also have reviewed the parish and diocesan sacramental, financial and parishioner records related to St. Mary Parish and found that these records support my decision.   

I believe this decision is in the best interests of the parishioners and communities of faith.  My staff and I will work with the leaders and representatives of the two parishes during the assimilation process.  Be assured that I will be with you in prayer during the period of transition.   

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