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Parish Closings Fast Facts

January 14, 2004 statement on Parish Closings

February 3, 2004 letter from Jim Post and John Hynes to Archbishop O’Malley

March 8, 2004 VOTF statement calling for moratorium

March 9, 2004 letter from Steve Krueger to Chris Coyne

March 31, 2004 letter from John Hynes to O’Malley

March 31, 2004 Letter from Mark Maloney, Boston Redevelopment Authority, to Bishop Richard Lennon

May 7, 2004 statement by John Hynes

Flyer for May 23, 2004 event

Financial Implications information

 

March 31, 2004

The Most Reverend Richard Gerard Lennon, D.D.
Archdiocese of Boston
2101 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02135-3192

Dear Bishop Lennon:
I write once again to extend my offer to assist the Archdiocese of Boston with the preparation of an Institutional Master Plan (IMP) for your properties in the City of Boston. I am sure that this process will prove mutually beneficial to the Archdiocese and the City.
All of Boston’s institutions play a special role in the city, but the City’s churches are unique in their impact. The Church has long been a stabilizing force in Boston’s neighborhoods and a leading provider of social infrastructure. In addition to the services provided throughout the lives of your parishioners, churches are a source of identity and pride within a community. As you may know, parishioners from across the Archdiocese have cited the importance of a parish to the surrounding community as one of the primary criteria in any decision to close a parish.
As the City’s economic development and planning agency, the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) has a significant interest in the health of the neighborhoods and the impact any parish closings might have upon the surrounding community. Our responsibility is to ensure that the concerns of all Bostonians are addressed during times of significant change and we want to work with you in a proactive manner to develop a plan that strengthens the Archdiocese and the City’s neighborhoods.
I want to assure you that an IMP is not a device to delay or disrupt any reconfiguration efforts. The community involvement that accompanies an IMP process ensures that neighborhood concerns regarding the development of any Archdiocese property are addressed at an early stage. Successful IMP processes are true collaborative efforts that build consensus on the significant elements of the plan, minimizing any delay or disagreement once implementation begins. Church property within Boston is subject to Boston’s zoning requirements and an IMP can simplify the review of individual proposed projects, saving the Archdiocese time and money while moving forward.
The Archdiocese of Boston has a long history of partnering with the City and BRA. I look forward to building on this relationship as you proceed with your reconfiguration efforts.
Sincerely,

Mark Maloney