By Gina Christian

(OSV) — The Archdiocese of New York has announced staff cuts and a major revamp of its pastoral offices as it sheds its longtime Manhattan headquarters building and wrestles in court with its insurer to cover abuse claim payouts.

In a Nov. 8 letter, Cardinal Timothy Dolan told the faithful that the archdiocese had begun “a restructuring of its pastoral offices,” following a monthslong “examination of these pastoral ministries and offices” initiated by the cardinal and directed by the archdiocesan vicar general.

“As a result of this study and consultation, several offices and responsibilities are being merged, and a number of programs and ministries returned to a more local and parish-based focus,” Cardinal Dolan said.

He added that operating on a local, parish level is an arrangement that “responds to a long-standing preference expressed by our priests and auxiliary bishops.”

That approach also aligns with Pope Francis’ call for synodality, which envisions that “the Church should not operate ‘top-down’ but instead be ‘bottom-up,’ listening to the voice of the people of God.”

Cardinal Dolan did not specify in his message which pastoral offices would close. However, cultural ministries appear to be included in the restructuring.

The cardinal stated that priest chaplains for the archdiocese’s various ethnic and cultural communities, including the “different African, Asian, Hispanic and Latino communities,” will be “responsible for organizing special Masses and celebrations, and responding to each community’s unique pastoral needs.”

The restructuring has “resulted in regrettable lay-offs for some workers” at the archdiocese’s main building — which has been sold — “and elsewhere around the Archdiocese,” he said.

Admitting that “such decisions are never easy,” Cardinal Dolan said the cuts and decision-making were necessitated by “the current financial crunch … and the upcoming move to our new offices in 2025.”

While he did not say how many staff members had been let go, media reports indicated that 18 staffers, or 4% of the archdiocesan administration, had been released.

He said that some reduction in administrative staff has already been “achieved primarily through attrition,” with open positions assessed “to see if they can be absorbed by others before deciding whether or not to hire a replacement.”

As part of the restructuring, parishes will be able to apply for ministry grants funded by “a good portion” of the money saved through the cuts, said Cardinal Dolan, describing the process, the details of which are “still being worked out,” as “a more effective and efficient use of our resources.”

Cardinal Dolan stressed that “the restructuring is not a one-time event” but part of an ongoing evaluation of “how we are operating and asking if there is a better way forward.”

Many of the archdiocesan offices will move to a smaller space adjacent to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Director of Communications Joseph Zwilling told OSV News in an Oct. 11 email.