Friday, August 27, 2010

Endangered Parishes

Richard Lennon came from Boston, which he left in bad condition. Ten Boston parishes have received word that their appeals have been denied. Lennon has been an extremely divisive figure in Cleveland. Now, what waits Cleveland's parishes?

Where will we worship? Catholicism is a communal religion that spans the many generations.

The diocese says it is important to register in a new parish when your parish is extinguished. Why?, since under lennonism any parish can be suppressed at any time without reason, or question.

The diocese says, through their spokesman Bob Tayek, that 2500 people are needed for a parish. With this ROUND of closings, there are many parishes well below that threshold. Is that the forewarning of future rounds of closings?

Jesus is satisfied with two or three to form a parish. Canon law had encoded that. Now, it seems interpretations are promoting the absolutism of a bishop's will to the abrogation of all laws and precepts. Does a local bishop override Jesus?

Who are the faithful? Those in the streets? or those in the chancery?

Who are the conservatives? Those who wish to conserve their parishes and rights? Or an activist, authoritarian bishop who can reform a diocese in his own image?

To Jesus and centuries of Catholics, the parish was quite dear; to Lennon it is a disposable, administrative unit. A most ominous diocesan memo hints at more turmoil, and an extended time of troubles. Cleveland's only salvation will be the departure of Lennon.
For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
supra: in front of St. Casimir, infra: in front of St. Emeric, both 22 August 2010.

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