Is there anything we can do....

[pdudgeon]

...if our Bishop wants to close down our parish, and build a new church in a richer part of town?
Help?

 

[Chrystal-J]

We had a threat of closures in our Parish a few years ago. Instead it was decided to 'cluster' churches. Two churches would become 'one' with the same name and priest. I was happy because at least we were able to keep our church open.

 

[Michie]

...if our Bishop wants to close down our parish, and build a new church in a richer part of town?
Help?

Why does he want to do that?

 

[pdudgeon]

We had a threat of closures in our Parish a few years ago. Instead it was decided to 'cluster' churches. Two churches would become 'one' with the same name and priest. I was happy because at least we were able to keep our church open.

Thank you so much for that idea!

 

[chevyontheriver]

...if our Bishop wants to close down our parish, and build a new church in a richer part of town?
Help?

You can appeal to Rome. Not terribly effective. Or go to civil courts. Not very effective.

 

[Michie]

You can appeal to Rome. Not terribly effective. Or go to civil courts. Not very effective.

Before I became Catholic they clustered all the Churches into one. The Bishop though there was no longer a need for 3 Churches in one small town.

 

[eastcoast_bsc]

It happened in Massachusetts on more than one occasion. One such church was St. Frances X. Cabrini in the beautiful and expensive town of Scituate Ma.

Parishioners held 24/7 vigils to prevent closure. They petitioned Rome. But hey property values and the money to be had by the Archdiocese won out. Go away you pesky parishioners !

 

[Chrystal-J]

Thank you so much for that idea!

You're welcome.

 

[pdudgeon]

Yep, I was afraid that there was no answer. How selfish can a Bishop get???
I'm glad that we found out his plans before the annual appeal took place.