Catholic priest challenges Bishop Lennon on church closings.
More to come on this I’m sure…….
Update:
St. Peters parishioners carry on
I still recall how back in the days when we began such an effort, how the “other side of the argument” was always represented by those who criticized us for being too attached to a building. Kudos to Bob Zack, who in the article is quoted as saying “We do stand, however, in opposition to the closing of our church as well as so many others in our diocese…..the bishop says the church is his real estate. Fine, take it. We have no control over that. But we have decided we want to keep our community together.” Bravo.
While Zack concedes the property issue, St. James would still contend that whether you want the building or not, it belongs no more to the bishop than the dollars in your checking account belong to the president of your bank. Taking what does not belong to you and expecting people to make peace with that because you are a cleric is indicative of a psychological state of mind that is not healthy for the church, and will ultimately prove to be a part of its unraveling from within. When church clerics take the position that it is easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission, it has effectively lost its way spritually. This is why we took such a stand, and one of the reasons why St. James continues to be a church community with or without its former building.
God bless the St. Peter parishioners for taking ownership of their situation. Hats off to you all!