Contact: Suzanne Morse 617-680-2131, smorse@votf.org

For Immediate Release

Statement by the Boston Area Voice of the Faithful Council on Fivefold Response to Parish Closings

Newton, Mass., June 4, 2004 - The Boston Area Voice of the Faithful Council is saddened, albeit not surprised, by Archbishop O'Malley’s decision to close 65 parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston. Our response to this tragic turn of events is fivefold.

First, we call on Archbishop O’Malley to release to the public a comprehensive report that encompasses all parishes selected for closure and includes a detailed explanation of the specific reasons why each particular parish was chosen. The people in the pews who paid to build these churches deserve a straight answer from their Archbishop to the simple question; “Why did you choose to shut us down?”

Second, we call on Archbishop O’Malley and his staff to be open and responsive to legitimate appeals by concerned pastors and parishioners. We believe that there are situations where the process identified in advance by the Archdiocese was not in fact followed. As a result, we are witnessing the closing of parishes which are vibrant, active, financially stable, and have high ratings on the Archdiocesan sacramental index. We are also witnessing the closing of multi-ethnic parishes which are providing community and social services not available anywhere else. These parishes are truly doing the work of Jesus; they should not be closed. Mistakes were made during the parish closing process and they need to be corrected.

Third, many Catholics have contacted the Boston Area Voice of the Faithful Council looking for a place to express their anger, shock, and grief about the closing of their parish. In response, we have begun working in conjunction with the pastors of closing parishes to organize listening sessions where distraught parishioners can gather together, share their thoughts, and support each other. These sessions are being scheduled in each of the five regions of the Archdiocese of Boston.

Fourth, the Boston Area Voice of the Faithful Council is searching for avenues such as deed restrictions which might help prevent, or at least delay, the closing of those parishes which never should have been selected for closure to begin with. In connection with this particular effort, we are seeking the assistance of lawyers of any and all faiths to provide appropriate legal services. If you are an interested attorney, please email Sharon Harrington at benhar@earthlink.net.

Fifth, there is a grass roots effort underway within the membership of the Boston Area Voice of the Faithful Council to identify legislative and legal remedies which might help make the RCAB financially accountable. This is not surprising. After all, as a result of its poor management of the resources entrusted to it, the RCAB Corporation Sole, has lost the confidence of the citizens of the Commonwealth. 75% of Catholics [New York Times, November 7, 2003] want the church to be more accountable on financial issues. While acknowledging the absolute need for separation of church and state, our membership will, nevertheless, work with the leaders and members of the state legislature to appropriately increase the financial transparency of religious organizations in the Commonwealth.

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About Voice of the Faithful: Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) is a worldwide movement of concerned mainstream Catholics formed in response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis. The group's mission is to provide a prayerful voice, attentive to the Spirit, through which the Faithful can actively participate in the governance and guidance of the Catholic Church. Its goals are to support victim/survivors of abuse, support priests of integrity, and shape structural change within the Catholic Church in full accordance and harmony with Church teaching. VOTF’s supporting membership exceeds 30,000 registered persons from 50 U.S. states, 21 countries and 203 Parish Voice affiliates throughout the world.