"An Ordinariate Is Like A Diocese"

This is what the illuminati who understand such things have frequently explained to us benighted laity as they talk down to us about Anglicanorum coetibus. Exactly what a diocese does isn't really covered in RCIA, except that the bishop is in charge, so I've been learning about dioceses piecemeal. Many thanks to visitors who've been helping me along this path from time to time.

But what I've gradually been learning is troubling as it relates to the North American ordinariate. Normally, for instance, a rising bishop is promoted through posts like seminary rector and auxiliary bishop. Fairly early in his career, he goes to "baby bishop school" in Rome, where, as I understand it, he learns the role of Vatican dicasteries and other offices. But at home, in the seminary and chancery, he also learns about internal functions like vocation directors and, importantly here, the construction services department.

What I find troubling about Bp Lopes is that, as a protégé of Cardinal Levada, he attended the elite North American College in Rome, got his parish ticket stamped briefly back in the Bay Area, and went straight back to Rome, where he seems to have made his career mainly in Anglican liturgy with the CDF. I just don't know how much practical experience he's had with vocation directors -- this may be an explanation for why he was so eager to ordain the OCSP's own former gay porn writer -- nor, I think we can start to see, with the diocesan construction services department.

Poking around the web, I find that many dioceses have these departments. The Dioceses of Harrisburg, PA and Orange, CA have them, although some smaller and newer ones, like the Dioceses of Worcester, MA and San Bernardino, CA, do not. While their titles differ, they have similar functions. The Buildings and Properties Department of the Diocese of Harrisburg, for instance has the responsibility of

Advising all entities of the Diocese regarding construction, renovations, maintenance and general building upkeep for all properties including:

• Environmental issues, such as asbestos, underground storage tanks, and lead
• Processing requests for projects in accordance with the Required Procedures for Construction/Renovation/Repair/Maintenance Manual.
• Technical Review of Projects
• Providing sources and advice for the solution of problems related to facilities and properties

Since the Catholic Church is a major property owner worldwide, these are key functions. I assume that dioceses that don't have separate construction departments either have them as parts of other departments or rely on services from their archdiocese. What's beginning to trouble me is that the OCSP does own and maintain buildings -- sometimes old ones cast off by territorial dioceses -- and even more troubling, is looking to acquire more. But I see no evidence of policies that would be second nature to a real diocese. That Bp Lopes doesn't seem to have come through a promotional path that would include practical experience in this area doesn't help.

In contrast, just as an example, here is the Project Planning and Construction Procedures Manual for the Diocese of Harrisburg, PA. Even the Executive Summary contains worthwhile advice:

2.1.1 Before You Start - Some thoughts as you begin a Parish building program.

Do not leave prayer or God out of the process.

Your work is an act of Stewardship of God’s gifts.

Develop your Vision of “Who we are” and “This is where we are going”. . . .

Understand this is not about individuals; it is about your whole Parish community.

Pray and chose the Planning and Building Committees wisely; include a diversity of people, ideas, abilities and approaches.

Keep your whole Parish continually informed about the project status. . . .

Consider a Master plan for your site, dream the impossible dream, and think about tomorrow but realize you have to be able to pay for that dream. . . .

One thing that's puzzled me about the whole Southern California project, for instance, is that it's disorganized and opportunistic. The Irvine group has remained in the Busch office facility for some years without any apparent plan to expand or build -- but suddenly, when an angel appeared in Murrieta, an ad hoc construction project sprang up to remodel a former gym in a mall rental into a storefront church. Leaving aside a few families who may formerly have commuted to Irvine for mass, this serves an entirely new community, with the Irvine group remaining on some kind of back burner.

But now, there's an even more ambitious project to buy an obsolete property in Covina, 60 miles from Murrieta, 37 miles from Irvine. A visitor can tell me only that Fr Bartus intends to raise 1.3 million for this project, but it isn't clear what this money will buy -- is it for the chuch building itself, or the rectory and parking lot as well? Does the total cover all renovations? Precisely what will the renovations be? Is there a master plan for this project? (By the way, who are we? Where are we going?)

Normal guidelines require detailed review and approval of such projects at the diocesan level. Again, from the Diocese of Harrisburg:

3.8.3.1 All projects over $200,000 will require review by the Diocesan Building Commission and the College of Consultors with their advice to the Bishop on project approval. A four phase approval process is required.
3.8.3.2 Submit a letter or email package to the Vicar General requesting approval for the project. Letter will include:
3.8.3.2.1 Completed Form B (Information as indicated in Appendix A and B)
3.8.3.2.2 Facts demonstrating the need for the project including analysis of alternative options.
3.8.3.2.3 Preliminary or actual cost estimates including a 10% contingency. Three bids are mandatory. Identify the preferred bidder.
3.8.3.2.4 Discussion of ability to fund the project
3.8.3.2.5 Project timeline
3.8.3.2.6 Any drawings, specification, description of work, and warranties
3.8.3.2.7 Certificate of insurance from the contractor
3.8.3.2.8 Indication of what municipal approvals are needed and if they have been obtained
3.8.3.2.9 Contract to be signed if available
3.8.3.2.10 Indication that the parish or board has approved the project.

The impression I have, based on limited public information and somewhat more from a visitor, is that renovations are now in progress to the sanctuary in the Covina building, but purchase is something much more up in the air. Huh? What happens if the purchase doesn't go through? Where's the liability during all this transition? Has anyone given any thought to this? Is there a published plan available anywhere?

Frankly, this is something that Houston, or perhaps the building committee of the Covina group, or maybe an informed visitor, ought to make available to me to reassure anyone who encounters these questions and wonders if anyone in Houston, or indeed in Covina, is doing much other than smoking stuff, however legal it may now be out here.