In 2018, the Archdiocese of Detroit began the process of transitioning real property from a civil law form of “corporate sole” ownership to prepare for holding that property in a civil law model of parish incorporation, which harmonizes the way the property is owned in canon and civil law.
After consideration by the Archdiocesan Finance Council and College of Consultors, it was deemed most appropriate to pursue a two-step process. The first step involved the establishment of Mooney Real Estate Holdings (MREH) to hold title to around 900 distinct pieces of real estate, for the benefit of the Archdiocese, its parishes, and other Church-affiliated parties. This exercise was deemed as an appropriate first step to the parish incorporation process to help inventory the real estate. The majority of properties were successfully titled under MREH by the end of 2018.
The second step of this process involves creating individual parish corporations and transferring the real estate and personal property title to the parish corporations. The first three parishes were incorporated in 2019, namely Our Lady of the Albanians, Divine Providence, and Church of the Transfiguration, all in Southfield. The remaining parishes will be incorporated in May and June 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
Part One — Mooney Real Estate Holding Company
What is Mooney Real Estate Holdings?
What was the previous legal structure of parishes in the Archdiocese?
How did the creation of Mooney Real Estate Holdings affect the day-to-day life of the parish?
Who serves on the Board of Directors of Mooney Real Estate Holdings?
Part Two — Parish Incorporations
Why are parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit being separately incorporated?
Are there theological reasons for parish incorporations?
Why is this being done at this time in the Archdiocese of Detroit?
How will parishes be incorporated?
Will schools be separately incorporated?
Will parishes in a Family of Parishes be separately incorporated?
Will parishes in a cluster be separately incorporated?
Will parish incorporation result in greater accountability to civil authorities?