Diocese of New York Decentralizes and Reorganizes
Diocesan Press Service. December 30, 1968 [72-11]
NEW YORK, N. Y. -- The annual convention of the Diocese of New York has voted approval of a decentralization plan which will have a drastic effect on the organization of the Diocese which covers ten counties and is made up of 204 parishes and more than 87,000 communicant members.
The decentralization of the Diocese is the first major re-grouping of parishes in 100 years and provides for the formation of inter-parish councils among congregations in the same region.
Three regional councils will be organized around the inter-parish units, having direct relationship to the Diocesan Council.
Seven convocations will be suspended under the new organization plan. The Diocesan convention also voted to study a proposal to divide the Diocese, a recommendation made by Dr. Arthur Lee Kinsolving, rector of St. James Church, Manhattan. The proposal was supported by Dr. Frederick M. Morris, rector of St. Thomas Church, Manhattan.
Dr. Kinsolving's plan would create two Dioceses. One would be a Triborough Diocese composed of Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island. The other would be an East New York Diocese made up of outlying counties.
The new organization of the Diocese will go into effect in about 60 days.