Despite Vatican ruling, dissidents continue vigils at closed Boston parishes
June 07, 2010
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After the Vatican's highest tribunal turned down their effort to stop the closing of five parishes, dissident Catholics in the Boston archdiocese vowed to continue their vigils. The leader of a group that is resisting the parish closings told the Boston Globe that some protesters are "ready to be arrested" if the archdiocese takes further steps to end the vigils and sell the parish properties.
In 2004 the Boston archdiocese announced plans to close more than 80 parishes-- including the five parishes where vigils are now continuing-- in response to severe financial pressures and a looming clergy shortage. Since that time the archdiocese has paid several million dollars in legal fees, insurance, taxes, and maintenance for these parishes, where authorized services no longer take place.
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Further information:
- Catholics will continue resisting parish closures (Boston Globe)
- Vatican turns down appeals on Boston parish closings (CWN, 5/17)
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Posted by: lauriem5377 -
Jun. 09, 2010 12:11 AM ET USA
I was hasty in writing my 2 comments here. After prayer and reflection, I thought further about how much our Lord values obedience.....I also thought what I should say and pray for is for the Lord's Will to be done in this difficult situation. I will pray for both the parishioners and the clergy making these closure decisions that all will pray and reflect and align what they should do with the will of our Lord.
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Posted by: lauriem5377 -
Jun. 08, 2010 6:08 PM ET USA
Our Bishops and our pastors urge us to contribute time, money, energy, talent to the physical surroundings of our churches...building them, renovating them, supplying them and maintaining them....and most people respond to the best of thei ability. We know we're there to worship our Lord regardless of the setting. But it's hard to be asked to contribute in so many ways - and then have the same people abruptly close the church and tell the parishione it's not important where they worship.
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Posted by: -
Jun. 08, 2010 11:20 AM ET USA
JR, obviously there is more to it. However, anything that pulls us from the communion with our Bishop is pulling on a slippery slope. I know a community in northern Arizona that has been split terribly over this issue. Some have gone into schismatic groups over this issue. Again, are we worshipping the memories and the building or Jesus' direction in the work of our Bishop?
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Posted by: -
Jun. 08, 2010 7:33 AM ET USA
Cloudchaser, there might be a little more to it than that. If Your beloved local parish is slated for closure as a result of what You think are terribly misguided decisions at the diocesan level, You might strongly feel You have something to say about it. Catholics sometimes have a duty to make their voices heard to their pastors.
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Posted by: lauriem5377 -
Jun. 07, 2010 8:53 PM ET USA
I never understand why 'the people's churches' are taken away from them and their communities........
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Posted by: -
Jun. 07, 2010 7:37 PM ET USA
This is where the concept of "Church" needs to taught and clarified. We don't assist at Mass in honor of a building or bricks or because Uncle's funeral was in that building. We worship the Living Christ.
