In diocese after diocese we see parishes and schools closing or consolidating, a decline in priests as older clergy pass away at rates higher than new ordinations, and a widespread diocese of lincoln of the next generation to either the secular left or the evangelical right. We also read of various plans to counter these trends. The problem is diocese of lincoln few are talking about it. Despite having a Catholic population of only 97,000, the Lincoln diocese ordained 22 men from 2010-2012. Only seven diocese in the entire country ordained more. One of those, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles with a Catholic population over 4. As of 2012 the diocese had a total of 150 priests serving 134 parishes. There is no permanent diaconate program in Lincoln. There are, however, installed acolytes and lectors constituted of lay men. There are also 33 Catholic schools, including 6 high schools. One of those high schools, St. Pius X, produced 18 of the 48 men enrolled at St. Gregory the Great Seminary in 2014. Many of the schools are staffed by female religious, of which the Diocese of Lincoln boasts 141 sisters from 14 different orders. Many have priests teaching high school theology and often serving as principals as well. Having established that Lincoln is a thriving community of Catholicism, seemingly impervious to many of the challenges encountered elsewhere, we now need to look at the secret of their success. The Lincoln blueprint can be narrowed down to diocese of lincoln few foundational elements: Orthodox Bishops Against all odds and the prevailing winds of the post-conciliar Church, Lincoln has avoided the craziness and irreverence that has afflicted so many other dioceses. This has largely been achieved through the stability and orthodoxy provided over the last fifty years by three men: Bishop Glennon Flavin 1967-1992Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz 1992-2012and Bishop James Conley 2012-present. The National Catholic Reporter known as the Fishwrap to Fr. The Male Only Sanctuary Several things immediately differentiate Lincoln from nearly every other diocese in the country when it comes to the sacred liturgy. To a large extent, Lincoln has preserved a male only sanctuary. The diocese remains the only one in the country to maintain an altar serving policy of boys only. As I have before, this is in direct recognition of what Rome itself acknowledged back in 1994: The Holy See wishes to recall that it will always be very appropriate to follow the noble tradition of having boys serve diocese of lincoln the altar. As is well known, this has led to a reassuring development of priestly vocations. Thus the obligation to support such groups of altar boys will always continue. Lincoln also utilizes installed acolytes and lectors for the Holy Mass. Since it is an instituted ministry, the role of an acolyte is only open to men. As an example, a parish with 1,200 or so families could have as many as 30-40 acolytes. They function mainly in a capacity to serve during Mass, often much like an altar boy or deacon: they turn the missal pages for the priest, carry the processional cross, distribute communion, handle the thurifer for incensing, and so on. These acolytes are utilized on an as needed basis and are not viewed as simply another way to increase lay participation. An average Sunday mass with 800 people would typically have only 2 main acolytes and 3 more assist the extra priest to distribute Holy Communion. This is of course in stark contrast to most dioceses that make ordinary use of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, to the point of abusing the intention set forth by Rome. As stated previously, Lincoln also utilizes installed lectors for most Sunday Masses. Tradition Friendly Those in Lincoln will speak of the lack of Catholic tribalism and the absence of the liturgical wars so prevalent in other dioceses. Reverent Novus Ordo liturgies have served the faithful well, preventing the frustration that so many encounter in other dioceses. However, Lincoln has diocese of lincoln avoided the hostility toward tradition that so often defines the traditionalists experience elsewhere. The Fraternity exclusively celebrates Mass in the Extraordinary Form and adheres to the liturgical books in use in 1962. Presently there are about 7 or so diocesan priests who offer the Traditional Latin Mass; however, more are learning it. The rector at the diocesan seminary St. Gregory the Great offers it to the diocese of lincoln once a month. This is probably one of the more interesting sides of Lincoln. The Latin Mass community is not very large in Lincoln. Because the diocese has historically been so conservative there has never been a great battle cry from traditionalists for the exclusive return of the Latin Mass. Many within the community can even be seen at various Novus Ordo parishes participating fully within the liturgy. The number of priests learning the old Mass is on the rise, though mainly among the younger priests of which there are many. Bishops Bruskewitz, Conley and Robert Finn formerly of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph all offer it regularly in the diocese. Gregory the Great diocesan seminarians have gone to Our Lady of Guadalupe, and vice versa, for evenings of prayer and fraternity and for vespers in both the old and new rites. Liturgical Continuity As stated previously, the Lincoln diocese has intentionally avoided the modern tendency to clericalize the laity by delegating liturgical roles to the faithful. Proper liturgical orientation has been further reinforced through the manner in which many masses are offered in Lincoln
