Voice of the Faithful - Parish Closings

Archdiocese of Boston Parish Closings

Parish closings in Boston represent a first substantive opportunity for laity to exercise the voices we found over the sexual abuse crisis. Be mindful - the handling of parish closings now rocking the Boston, MA Archdiocese will speak volumes to this country’s parishioners and the future of faith in community. What happens in Boston, MA will not take place in a vacuum – it is no exaggeration to say that the impact of the current course in this archdiocese will have global implications. On this page, we consider words used and actions taken both by archdiocesan leadership and the people in the pews.

As is well known, Voice of the Faithful has made something of a mantra out of the word “collaborative” when speaking of dialogue within our Church. As you read through the documents cited on this page, do you see collaborative dialogue?

Bishop Gregory and others have called for “communio,” communion with and in Christ. Do you see communion in the archdiocesan process?

Below, we have provided links to a chronology of decision making in the Boston archdiocese as well as reactions by Voice of the Faithful to the painful demolition of parish lives.

Voice of the Faithful is sponsoring the Mass on Boston Common, Sunday, August 15, 2004, 4 PM. This Mass is an opportunity for all Catholic men and women to join together as a community to celebrate the Eucharist in the spirit of healing and as a sign of unity during these challenging times. Click here for more information.
Parish Closings - FAST FACTS
May 7, 2004 - Statement of John Hynes, Voice of the Faithful-Boston, to Parish Closings Announcement
March 31, 2004 – Letter to Archbishop Sean O’Malley from John Hynes, Chair, Steering Committee, Voice of the Faithful/Boston on lay involvement in the closing process
March 31, 2004 – Mark Maloney,letter to RCAB NEW TITLE Most Rev. Richard Lennon proposing an Institutional Master Plan for the Archdiocese of Boston
March 9, 2004 – Voice of the Faithful letter to Rev. Christopher Coyne, RCAB Secretary of Community Relations, from VOTF Executive Director Steve Krueger
March 8, 2004 - Voice of the Faithful Statement Calls for Moratorium on Parish Closings
February 3, 2004 – Letter to Archbishop O’Malley from VOTF president Jim Post and Voice of the Faithful/Boston Affiliates Task Force Chair John Hynes
January 14, 2004 - 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
December 22, 2003 – Voice of the Faithful issues Media Advisory on “Church Closings and Diocesan Finances Financial Implications: A Boston Overview” prepared by VOTF member and former Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Boston David Castaldi.

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