The Archdiocese of New York announced Friday the restructuring of its pastoral offices ahead of the move of its chancery from 1011 First Avenue to 488 Madison Avenue in 2025.

In a letter to archdiocesan staff, Cardinal Timothy Dolan stated, “Our goal in all of this is to ensure that we are responding as effectively as possible to the needs of the people we are called upon to serve in the nearly 300 parishes that make up this archdiocese.”

Bringing the focus of pastoral work back to parishes is a primary driver of the restructuring. “This responds to a long-standing preference expressed by our priests and auxiliary bishops and puts us in line with the notion of synodality, so eloquently expressed by our Holy Father, Pope Francis, that the Church should not operate ‘top-down’ but instead be ‘bottom-up,’ listening to the voice of the people of God,” Cardinal Dolan wrote.

“One way that we will accomplish this, for instance, is by appointing priest chaplains for the various ethnic communities that make up the archdiocese, including the different African, Asian, Hispanic, and Latino communities, who will be responsible for organizing special Masses and celebrations, and responding to each community’s unique pastoral needs,” Cardinal Dolan explained.

Approximately 18 positions will be eliminated as part of the restructuring. Cardinal Dolan thanked all those affected and the archdiocese’s human resources department for their “empathetic and professional” handling of “this difficult task.”

As part of this refocus on work at the parish level, a new grant process will be established for parishes to apply for funding for their own needs and initiatives.

“As we approach our national day of Thanksgiving, know that I give thanks to God each day for all of you and the way you help me make the Gospel come alive. Be assured of a remembrance in my prayers,” Cardinal Dolan wrote.