Dubuque Archdiocese facing reality with hope on Journey of Faith

As someone who was born and raised — and now lives and serves — in the Archdiocese of Dubuque, I have a deep love for the people and parishes of this area. The Catholic faith that my parents and parish community shared with me and my siblings shaped my vocation and continues to guide me as archbishop. That is why I am extremely grateful that so many people in the archdiocese took part in our Journey in Faith process over the past several months.

Many have asked why the archdiocese is embarking on this Journey in Faith. When we began this process a year ago, more than 22,000 Catholics completed the Disciple Maker Index, offering honest, heartfelt reflections on their parish and faith life. These reflections affirmed that our society and our Church have changed. We are up against shifting populations, declining Mass attendance, fewer priests and a secular culture that often discourages faith of any kind.

Correspondingly, the mission of evangelization has never been more urgent.

I am committed to proactively addressing these challenges through the Journey in Faith process. I want to prayerfully plan for our future, where our parishes are driven by our mission, faithful to the Gospel, and equipped to form disciples. I want us to face these realities with hope, not fear, and to plan proactively rather than wait for circumstances to force difficult decisions.

Across the archdiocese, we held more than 300 parish meetings, welcomed over 16,500 total participants to those meetings, and received more than 5,000 submissions through our feedback form. Every voice matters. I have been deeply moved by the honesty, faith and love people have for their parishes. For nearly every opinion expressed, there was one to the contrary; this diversity is a sign of vitality. It shows how deeply we care about the Church and her mission.

Even when we see things differently, we share a common goal: ensuring vibrant, sustainable Catholic parishes for generations to come.

I know these conversations have not been easy. Many have asked heartfelt questions that arise from love for their parish. A frequent question is: Why can’t we rotate weekend Masses so every church has one at least once a month?

This approach is already occurring in nearly 20% of our parishes, where Masses are rotated on a biweekly or other schedule. These rotations, focused mainly on the use of churches, are not always effective in building consistent relationships or vibrant communities. They can strain both human and financial resources needed to maintain church buildings — resources that might otherwise support ministry, evangelization and outreach. Our goal is to ensure that parishes provide leadership formation and engage in pastoral planning so they thrive and are mission-focused. This will allow us to achieve the vision of the Archdiocese of Dubuque.

Another common question is: Why can’t deacons or lay people do more to help with Mass?

Deacons and lay leaders already contribute in invaluable ways — preaching, leading prayer, and serving in ministries. But only a priest, acting in the person of Christ, can consecrate the Eucharist. This isn’t a diocesan rule; it is based on the universal Church’s sacramental theology.

For that reason, our planning must reflect the number of priests available to serve.

And some also wonder: Why can’t we use Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest (SCAP) or livestreaming with distribution of Communion?

Christ intended the celebration of Mass as the memorial of his death and resurrection, not simply as consuming Holy Communion. SCAP and livestreamed liturgies fail to capture the full meaning of the Eucharist as a banquet (food and drink are consumed) and sacrifice (the Lamb of God is offered). SCAP is permitted only in true emergencies when Mass was anticipated but could not be celebrated because, for example, the presiding priest became ill. Livestreamed liturgies are only for those who are homebound.

I encourage anyone who has additional questions to visit the Archdiocesan website and explore the Frequently Asked Questions section at dbqjourneyinfaith.org/faq.

Change is never easy, especially when it touches something sacred. I understand the uncertainty some feel, but I am filled with tremendous hope.

As we've entered the season of Advent, we are reminded that God’s people have always been on a journey — waiting, watching, and preparing for Christ’s coming. Advent calls us to hope and trust, even when the path ahead is uncertain. The Holy Spirit is at work among us, even in this time of transition.

I encourage Catholics to continue to pray for our parishes, our pastors, and for me, that we may be guided by the Holy Spirit. May God bless you and your families during the holy seasons of Advent and Christmas, as together we continue our Journey in Faith.

Pope Francis appointed Thomas Zinkula, an Eastern Iowa native and former local priest, to serve as the 13th bishop and 11th archbishop of Dubuque in July 2023.