Visalia, California — For Catholics in Central California, bigger means better — and St. The Charles Borromeo Church feels heaven-sent. The largest Catholic parish church in North America seats 3,200, spreads over nearly an acre and cost $21 million to build.
“This is a Catholic mega church“, said Bishop Joseph Brennan, who leads the Diocese of Fresno.
Father Alex Chavez, pastor of the church, is still struck by its enormity. And as big as it is, it can get even bigger.
“There’s room for growth. I can always add tons,” Chavez said.
The Catholic Church is facing a labor crisis decades in the making. Over half a century, the average size of a congregation increased by 60%, while the number of priests decreased by 40%, according to Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate.
“It’s huge, and it’s really across the board,” Brennan said. “It’s complicated, but there are all kinds of problems.”
Among them are inadequate recruitment of young men, societal issues including materialism and career success, family issues such as broken homes and the legacy of the Church’s sexual assault scandalsaccording to the Vocations Ministry.
The Diocese of Fresno recently ordained six new priests — the most since 1968. But Brennan says he could use 25 each year.
“I think these days, especially for my generation, commitment is a strong word,” said Jimmy Millan, one of the new priests at St. Charles Borromeo.
Joseph Klinge, another newly ordained priest, says the Catholic Church’s history of sexual abuse has damaged the image of the priesthood.
“I’ve had people call me a pedophile, just because they want to be a priest. There are wounds or scars, because it’s a horrible thing,” Klinge said.
Still, the new priests are hopeful that things can turn around.
Until it does, this mega-church merges four congregations into one. During three Sunday Masses, a total of 8,000 parishioners fill the pews.
“We’re responding to a very real need. So Jesus walked in the door and said, ‘Well, that’s not what I had in mind, but way ahead, guys. That’s a creative approach.'”
