DIOCESE OF JEFFERSON CITY

OFFICE OF THE BISHOP

Modification of St. Thomas More Newman Center Parish

Whereas, the Newman Center Parish was established to serve the students and staff of the University of Missouri in 1963;

Whereas, the parish was referred to by a variety of names until St. Thomas More Newman Center Parish was uniformly adopted after the year 2000;

Whereas, on 13 October 2019 St. John Henry Newman was canonized by Pope Francis;

Whereas, on 8 April 2025 the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments granted the request of Most Rev. Shawn McKnight, Bishop of Jefferson City, to change the title of the parish church from St. Thomas More to St. John Henry Newman;

Whereas, on 16 December 2025 1 received a request from the Pastor Rev. Daniel Merz indicating that, the people of the parish having been duly consulted, there was overwhelming support to change the name of the juridic person of the parish to match the title of the church;

Whereas, on 29 December 2025, as required by CIC can. 515 1 consulted the College of Consultors which, acting in place of the Presbyteral Council, made no objection to the request;

Now, therefore, having fulfilled all the requirements of canon law and convinced that this change will benefit the faithful of the parish and the larger diocesan community I hereby

DECREE

That the name of the juridic person known as St. Thomas More Newman Center Parish shall be St. John Henry Newman Parish. This change is effective as of 28 January 2026. I furthermore direct all official civil documentation and corporations to be updated by the date.

Given at the Chancery in Jefferson City on the 14 th day of January in the year of Our Lord 2026.

Most Reverend Ralph B. O'Donnell

Bishop Of Jefferson City

Mr. Benjamin H. Roodhouse

Chancellor

2207WEST MAIN STREET » JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI 65109-0914 635-9127 » BISHOP@DIOJEFFCITY.ORG

 

Modification Of Newman Parish