On Tuesday, March 2, 2021, over two hundred people from over a dozen different parishes in the Sioux City Diocese gathered on the grounds of the Sioux City Diocesan Chancery Offices located at 18th and Jackson St. in Sioux City in a prayerful rally to call to the attention of Bishop Walker Nickless that we do not like his solution to the crisis of Ministry 2025.
Holy Name Marcus had over twenty-five people present at one time or other. Our procurator is Roger Dentlinger. We are all asking Bishop Nickless to solve this problem in another way and not close our churches. Most procurators spoke as well as other laity to try to call the bishop’s attention to the fact that we have alternative ways to address this problem: One retired priest has offered to come out of retirement, every parish has laity who can be called into action, priests are available throughout the world who would love to serve rural areas, or the diocese could use technology in a more effective manner.
The rally consisted of prayer, singing, many speeches, and praying the rosary. This was a very uplifting event and everyone left feeling that we do care about our churches and we are praying that Bishop Nickless, the Presbyteral Council, and the Pastoral Planning Committee listen to the people affected and find a different solution.