Statement by Voice of the Faithful Regarding Parish
Closings in the Archdiocese of Boston
from John Hynes, Voice of
the Faithful – Boston;
Steve Krueger, Executive Director, Voice of the Faithful
Newton, MA – January 14, 2004 - In December, Voice of the Faithful
expressed concern about the plans of the Archdiocese of Boston to
close up to 80 parishes around the region. We remain apprehensive
about the closings and the process by which they will be undertaken.
Although we are pleased that the archdiocese has taken a step to
implement a diocesan-wide plan to include the laity at the parish
level, we are calling for greater accountability from the archdiocese
about the case for closings and for a more open process that will
include meaningful involvement of the laity at all levels.
Voice of the Faithful has grave concerns that the process deliberately
limits the input that lay people must have if we expect the Boston
archdiocese to heal and grow. In particular, Voice of the Faithful
is troubled by the speed in which this process is being undertaken.
By March 8th, Archbishop O’Malley will have a recommended list of
closings – parishes around the archdiocese are being asked to analyze
their finances, Mass attendance, sacramental activity, and building
condition and to hold meetings with their staff, their finance councils
and parish councils, as well as to host additional meetings with
concerned parishioners all within a very short time period. With
such a compressed schedule, we believe that it is unrealistic to
expect that lay people will have any significant voice in this painful
process. Furthermore, the fact that there is no provision to meaningfully
involve the laity at the Vicariate or archdiocesan level, but only
at the parish level, is greatly troubling to us. The laity will
not feel as if they truly were involved in this reconfiguration
if they have no opportunity to discuss their concerns and make recommendations
on the Vicariate or archdiocesan levels.
Additionally, we ask for a greater level of accountability from
the archdiocese about the need for and the impact of these closings,
and how they fit into the global plan for archdiocese. The Chancery
has not yet disclosed the specific reasons, with supporting information,
for the massive reconfiguration, which could include up to 80 parishes.
Without such an explanation, it is impossible to comprehend the
potential financial impact the closings will have on the Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of Boston, the pastoral impact they will have on its
members, and the social impact they will have on the residents of
the city of Boston. Voice of the Faithful is calling on the Chancery
to provide a full explanation for why this many faith communities
will be disrupted and for an analysis of the long-term impact of
the closings. Finally, we believe it is imperative that the Chancery
demonstrate to the laity how these closings will fit into a larger
plan to heal the archdiocese of Boston and attract Catholics back
into the pews.
###
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 more
than 41 U.S. states, 21 countries and 188 Parish Voice affiliates
throughout the world.