{"id":2123,"date":"2007-12-01T08:33:00","date_gmt":"2007-12-01T08:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/deaconsbench\/2007\/12\/los-angeles-installs-first-lay-parish-administrator.html"},"modified":"2007-12-01T08:33:00","modified_gmt":"2007-12-01T08:33:00","slug":"los-angeles-installs-first-lay-parish-administrator","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/deaconsbench\/2007\/12\/los-angeles-installs-first-lay-parish-administrator.html","title":{"rendered":"Los Angeles installs first lay parish administrator"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a> California, birthplace of trends, may have just given birth to another<\/a>: the first layman has been appointed in Los Angeles to act as a pastoral administrator at a parish: <\/p>\n

Like many in his religion, Humberto Ramos prayed regularly for God’s help in relieving the priest shortage plaguing the Roman Catholic Church.<\/p>\n

But the father of six never dreamed he would be part of the answer.<\/p>\n

On a recent Sunday, Ramos became the first layman in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to take over the administration of a parish – a role traditionally held by a priest.<\/p>\n

“While these are big shoes to fill, I know coming in that this is something where I can contribute and something being experienced across the country,” said Ramos, 42, who will be responsible for the spiritual and pastoral leadership at St. Marcellinus Parish in East Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

Ramos’ appointment as a parish-life director was prompted by a significant shortage of clergy, as well as the retirement of the Rev. Jules Meyer, the parish’s previous pastor.<\/p>\n

“Humberto’s appointment is historic for the archdiocese,” said Alex Jacinto, a Catholic lay activist<\/p>\n

“With the archdiocese now so overwhelmingly Latino, it’s also important that the first lay pastor of a parish happens to be Latino.<\/p>\n

Ramos’ appointment also underscores the dramatic changes shaping the Catholic Church. In the L.A. archdiocese, three nuns and a deacon also serve as parish life directors, entrusted with the leadership of a congregation without a resident pastor.<\/p>\n

The neighboring Diocese of San Bernardino has some 15 parishes led by nonpriests, according to Ramos.
Advertisement<\/p>\n

But the transition to parish-life directors has not been easy. Some U.S. dioceses have chosen to close viable parishes rather than empower lay ministers and deacons.<\/p>\n

Los Angeles, the nation’s largest diocese, with more than 4million Catholics, annually ordains just a handful of priests.<\/p>\n

In the next five years, the San Fernando Region of the diocese, which encompasses the the San Fernando Valley, will have an estimated 40percent fewer pastors than it does today.<\/p>\n

Ramos was installed in a ceremony officiated by the Rev. Gabino Zavala, auxiliary bishop of the San Gabriel Region.<\/p>\n

In his new position, Ramos will oversee the day-to-day pastoral and administrative tasks, while also coordinating and arranging for an ordained priest to celebrate Mass, hear confessions and administer communion and the other Sacraments.<\/p>\n

He’ll also participate Sunday in the Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe celebration in East L.A.<\/p>\n

Although pastors normally reside on parish premises, Ramos will continue to live at his home in Temple City. Another priest currently assigned to St. Marcellinus will reside at the rectory.<\/p>\n

“The cardinal (Roger Mahony) has said not all priests are called to be pastors,” said Ramos, who has worked for the church almost a quarter-century, including the past 19 years with the archdiocese. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I know of a few other places where this is becoming more common, including a parish not far from where I grew up in Maryland. But I suspect Los Angeles will be in the vanguard; the cardinal archbishop there has expressed an interest in developing this idea, and this may be just the beginning. <\/p>\n

Personally, I’d like to see more deacons in this role, as well. <\/p>\n

Meantime, the diocesan newspaper has more details<\/a> about Humberto Ramos’ installation and his family. <\/p>\n

Photo: by Sr. Nancy Munro, CSJ<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

California, birthplace of trends, may have just given birth to another: the first layman has been appointed in Los Angeles to act as a pastoral administrator at a parish: Like many in his religion, Humberto Ramos prayed regularly for God’s help in relieving the priest shortage plaguing the Roman Catholic Church. 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