Save Our St. Louis Parishes

When the leadership of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI) rolled out the 42+ pre-planned models for  "All Things New," we had little input into these plans that revealed "the most sweeping changes" to the St. Louis Archdiocese in its 196-year history. Then the Archdiocesan leadership acknowledged that these plans did not follow Canon Law and scrapped ALL of them. However, their new restructuring for "88 Pastorates" presented on February 2, 2023 to the priests of the Archdiocese allowed no real time for feedback candidly from anyone. 

Because we were not given a voice, we have a duty to make our voice heard. In fact, the Church teaches that we have this obligation and includes this in law (Canon 212). It is important and urgent that we let the Church leadership know our opinion on the matter.

Canon Law also gives us a way to act with a united voice. Please join us. Together we can save our St. Louis parishes!

A Mandate is a document in Canon Law that serves both as a personal petition to oppose the closures/mergers of parishes, and as the appointment of a person to act on your behalf in this matter.

Doctor Robert Onder has agreed to be the Procurator, volunteering his time and energy. The mandate allows him to unite hundreds or thousands of people in a single action by following specific rules of Canon Law.

The Mandate also allows the Procurator to appoint a canon lawyer to help us argue our position effectively.

Philip Gray, a canonist with over 30 years of experience, has agreed to help pro bono (free of charge).

The Process:
Download the form, print it out, and sign with two witnesses.  You only have to be 14 years old to sign and witness. 

Mail your original, physical signed copy to: Ken Battis, P.O. Box 105, Wentzville, MO 63385
Email a scanned copy to:  [email protected].

If you have questions or would like us to come speak to your parish, send us an email at [email protected].

Ken Battis
President
Save Our St. Louis Parishes
P.O. Box 105
Wentzville, MO 63385
Email: [email protected]
Website: SaveOurStLouisParishes.org or
SOSTLP.org

We are a 100% volunteer group of faithful St. Louis Catholics without compensation of any kind (well maybe some cookies at meetings :)

A core group is preparing a Petition that will address specific canonical points about the parish closures/mergers suggested by "All Things New."  The reasons given by CLI and the Archdiocese for such drastic changes are not clear and the process has not been transparent, nor have we had a chance to be heard or consulted through this process.

The Procurator will use the rules of Canon Law to send the signed Mandates (once collected) to the appropriate Church leaders. Responses and updates will be sent as well as information comes to light. Any responses back from the Church leaders will be communicated via the email list attached to Save Our St. Louis Parishes.