Text of Archbishop O'Malley's remarks on church closings

Today is not an easy day for the people of the Archdiocese of Boston. This morning all of our pastors and parishes were notified of the results of the reconfiguration process. Many parishes received the news that they would be remaining open and welcoming people from other parishes in the months ahead. As a result of this process there will be 65 less parishes, but this translates into the closing of 60 churches since five of the former parish churches will continue as worship sites. Although this reconfig-uration responds to the very special needs of the present, a radical reconfiguration of the archdiocese has been discussed for many years. Changes in population, the movement of people from the cities to the suburbs, the decrease in the number of active Catholics have all contributed to the present predicament. At this time, over one third of our parishes are operating in the red, the deterioration of our parish buildings and churches (that in the city of Boston alone would cost over 100 million dollars to repair), and the aging clergy (130 pastors are over 70 years of age) have forced us to make the hard decisions that we have announced today.

The alternative to going through this exercise would be that we would experience a continual decline in some areas of our archdiocese, closing parish after parish, school after school, out-reach program after out-reach program, all because the archdiocese would be unable to subsidize these entities. Furthermore, the archdiocese would be faced with the serious reality of not being able to meet its pension and medical fund obligations for its employees.

In addition, I want to assure the people of the archdiocese that the decision to close parishes is in no way connected with the need to finance the legal settlement with the victims of clergy sexual abuse. The sale of the Brighton property of the former archbishop's residences and surrounding land has raised the $90 million dollars needed to do so. No money from the future sale of parish assets will be used to pay for the settlement. What these funds will do is allow us to financially support as needed the parishes and schools that do remain in the archdiocese as well as to recapitalize our pension and medical funds. This process of reconfiguration is directed not towards the past, but towards the future mission of the Church.

Concerning this, last December I met with all of the priests of the archdiocese in order to explain both the reasons and the process for reconfiguration. The first step took place in February when staff and laity from each parish met in their various local clusters. Over the course of the cluster meetings, thousands of lay men and women, religious, deacons, and priests came together to consult, listen, and dialogue about the future of the parishes in their local area. The recommendations of the various clusters were then sent to the local vicar, a priest who coordinates a grouping of 12-13 local parishes, who then made his own recommendations to the regional bishop. The regional bishops then considered the cluster's ideas and then added his own. All of this was presented to a reconfiguration central committee of 24 people, most of whom were lay men and women. This committee gathered together for over 43 hours of meetings, pouring over all of the various recommendations that had been made over the course of each stage of the process. Their report was then presented to me for my consideration.

As required by church law, my initial determinations were presented to the presbyteral or priests council of the archdiocese so that I could hear their counsel, which I did in three days of meetings. From all of this, it is quite apparent that extensive consultation, work and effort was involved in this reconfiguration process. This consultation and input from so many people was extremely important in helping me make the difficult decisions I have made today. At every step of the process we took great care not to place the burden of reconfiguration on the backs of the poor. We have tried to distribute closings across all regions of the Archdiocese so that we shall be able to ensure the Church's presence in all areas of the Archdiocese in the future, especially in the inner city and in rural areas.

I am profoundly aware of the emotion the announcement of the closing of a parish evokes. It means the loss of a spiritual home, the place where so much time and resources have been invested, the house where so many important moments in people's lives, from birth to death, have taken place. I wish there was some way that all of these wonderful houses of life and prayer could remain open and alive and full. But there is not. Yet, I know from my own experience of being uprooted many times in life that the Church's faith can be as alive in one place as it is in another. As one church is closed, another church is waiting to welcome its people to a place which can become more alive, more spirit-filled, and more able to proclaim the good news of our faith because of the talents, treasure, and time its new members will bring. Doors may be closing and lights may be extinguished in one church, but other doors are open and arms are extended in welcome in another church in which the light of faith will burn all the brighter in renewal. Closing a parish does not mean an end to the book, just a chapter in the story of life and faith that is being written every day of our life as a Church.

This process will challenge all of us to move beyond a parochial mindset and realize that we are Catholic, which means universal. We may think of ourselves as liberal Catholics, as Latin Mass Catholics, Irish Catholics, Italian Catholics, Lithuanian Catholics, Hispanic Catholics, French Catholics, Vietnamese Catholics, Haitian Catholics, Cape Verdean Catholics, the Voice of the Faithful or the Silent Majority. We need to put the accent on Catholic and come together as one people ready to make sacrifices for our Church. We are part of something bigger than ourselves. This is not a matter of winners and losers. If we all see ourselves as part of the Catholic family, we will realize that the entire Church is the winner if everybody is willing to work together for the common good and to promote the Church's mission as we move forward.

Before I turn the podium over to Bishop Lennon, I wish to thank the people of the Archdiocese of Boston for their strength and fidelity over the past few years. Many of the wounds of the abuse crisis are still there and the healing we need as an archdiocese has only just begun. I am fully aware that all that has happened has shaken the trust that many had in the archdiocese as an institution. Trust cannot be regained in a moment but over time by doing the right things for the right reasons, one challenge or opportunity at a time. Know that what we are doing today as an archdiocese is for the right end and for the right reasons. It is clear that our recent journey as an archdiocese has been along a difficult path. My hope is that the major step we are taking together today will set us on firm ground so that we can focus our attention once more on our primary mission to preach the truth of our Catholic faith in both word and in deed.

I need also offer sincere thanks to Bishop Richard Lennon for his extraordinary efforts in directing this reconfiguration process. He has put in untold hours over the past few months to make this reconfiguration possible. That the reconfiguration process worked so well is largely due to him and we are all very grateful. To the thousands of priests, deacons, and lay men and women who gathered on the cluster levels, to the vicars, the regional bishops, the lay men and women and clergy on the central committee, to the members of the presbyteral council, I say thank you as well. This process has clearly shown that consultation among all the peoples of our archdiocese, laity and clergy, is something we all value and something that can obviously produce good results. The thoughtful advice and pastoral sensitivity that characterized the discussions in the central committee and the priest's council were truly edifying. In twenty years as a bishop I never felt more connected with my priests' council than I did as we agonized together over parish closings.

Please do not interpret reconfiguration as a defeat. It is rather a necessary reorganization for us to be positioned for the challenges of the future, so that the Church can be present in every area of the Archdiocese with the human and material resources we need to carry on the mission that Christ has entrusted to us.

I appeal to every Catholic in the Archdiocese to accept these changes in the spirit of faith. I am calling on everyone to make the sacrifices necessary for the good of our Church. A crisis tends to bring out the best and worst in people. I hope that this time of crisis will help us to focus on what is essential, our fidelity to Christ and our connectedness to each other in His Church.

The Church of Boston has a great history forged in persecution and sacrifice. We will have a great future if we do not flee from the cross. Reach out to one another in prayerful support. Let our love for our faith help us overcome our pain and help us focus on our mission.

As bishop in the West Indies, our islands were devastated by Hurricane Hugo. We were six months without electricity and phones. I gathered with our priests and people amid ruble and said``our buildings are strewn on the ground but we are on our feet.'' We looked around us and saw a barren landscape, not a leaf or a bush left on the island. It looked as if there had been a forest fire, but the rains came and sun appeared in the sky and lush tropical foliage returned more stunning than ever. We should never underestimate Gods power to make all things new.

I am asking the Catholics of the Archdiocese to lay aside their anger and disappointment, to cast off their sadness and join hands with brothers and sisters across the Archdiocese. We need to be united, we need to help and support one another. It is not a time to foment divisions but a time to strengthen relationships and build a strong Church. The Lord is counting on us. We cannot let Him down. We are His people.

I am sorry,I have no doubt that the Church will survive,if not here in the US,somewhere. I guess what infuriates me is that the B/bishops and C/cardinals have had so many chances to right the barque and they can't even hold it steady,let alone getting on course.

I just can't figure out how the good Bishops can overcome the evil ones,and I don't us the word evil lightly,without a lot of help from us. Here on Free Republic,there are many fine,bright and caring Catholics and even we bicker and spar pretty constantly.

I think we need to side with the few B/bishops who want more time because somehow I think that the enemy within,is really hoping for more programs for priests,parents,staff,children and viictims,more audits,more studies,more consultatiion with "professionals" in order to pick up the pace which is already dizzying. I am advocating taking a breather and really evaluating what we have.But it would help f those pesky,recalcitrant guys would step down and if someone would issue a warning to priests that they will be gone if they are "gay".

Thanks for the support,I agree,things have been worse and we will get through this,just wish it were smoother sailing.

The scandals didn't help but the problem is that most Catholics do not go to Mass and most Catholics do not send their kids to Catholic school for a Catholic religious education.

I heard the last half of Howie Carr's local hour yesterday (if I'd realized the topic, I would have listened from the beginning). A number of people from the suburbs called, saying that their parishes were being closed, although they had good attendance and could easily pay their bills. In each case, though, the pastor was described as "outspoken." I doubt they were outspoken against abortion, gay marriage, or dissent in general. Just call it a hunch.

I'm hoping he meant to send a message about orthodoxy. (Too bad the Paulist Center isn't one of the places he could close.)

Thanks for the support,I agree,things have been worse and we will get through this,just wish it were smoother sailing.

Thank you for your posting and defense of the Church. I am reminded of a quote from Rear Admiral Grace Hopper: A ship in port is safe, but that's not what ships are built for.

I have to believe that the Braque of Peter (thanks) which looks so unsteady to us here and now, will be shown to be on course when we look back on this from Heaven. We will see the Holy Spirit working in ways and in hearts that are invisible to us now. I wholeheartedly agree that I can not see how we can get out of this mess here in the US without both more years of decline and years of work. I am praying for a saint on the scale of St. Francis to come and reform the Church here in America.

One of the things I find encouraging is that if the Lord didn't think both you and I could both survive and serve in the current American Church we would have been born somewhere else. If He thinks you can deal with living now, you can.

Sorry, not buying the line that he has more important matters than saving immortal souls. Did he close that parish in Newton with all the heretics? Has he said he would deny communion to Kerry, Kennedy and the rest who favor evil acts? He even allowed Kennedy communion at his installation mass, right?

First he tells his priests not to allow the washing of female feet at Easter time, then apologizes to the feminists.

No, he gets no breaks. In several years I will be hearing the same song and dance. His plate is too full to deal with...

He goes in the category with George, Egan and the others who claim to be orthodox, but act like politicians more than Shepherds.

Did he close that parish in Newton with all the heretics?

I don't know which parish you refer to, but, as I've posted elsewhere, from several calls to Howie Carr last night, a number of the parishes closed were in wealthy suburbs, had plenty of money, and pastors who were "outspoken." At least one had an active VOTF chapter. (The Newton parishes closed were St. Bernard and Mary Immaculate of Lourdes.)

Sorry, not buying the line that he has more important matters than saving immortal souls.

The "line" would seem to be yours. He didn't say it, and I didn't. He undoubtedly has the cure of souls uppermost in his mind, but I'm afraid he has to use his own best judgment of how to go about it. His views apparently do not agree with yours.

In all things, charity.

From the beginning I thought it was strange that any teenage male would allow such a thing to occur. To even speak such a politically incorrect view is heresy to most people. I understand that everyone is different. I understand about psychosocial development, etc., but common experience and logic has to at least leave room for some to ask...why would any young male not bust his head open.

Good point and one I have wondered about myself having fended off the sexual advances of a prominent middle aged lawyer who's kids I babysat for while I was in 8th and 9th grades. One time I even went so far as to jump out of a car and run when he stopped on the side of a deserted road. I was very naive, but aware that what he wanted me to do was wrong (and made me sick).However, these priests preyed on sexually awakening teenaged boys, often plying them with alcohol and pornography and the boys were probably carried away by the siren call of awakening hormones and sexual curiousity - thus the guilt associated with the sexual abuse of minors. Also the priests mainly picked boys from broken homes or disfunctional families (as mine was and as the lawyer knew).

It's easy to forget how vulnerable teenagers are - not sure of themselves, not sure of their place in the world and not sure what to with or how to channel the sexual energy most of them have. I think you also have to put the abuse years in context... the role priest played in Catholic society and the reaction of parent(s) at that time - very different from today in most cases.

At this point, I am very tired of it all -- and especially of lawyers, and I'm more inclined to retire to the desert and spend my remaining years in prayer and penance for the world.

I'm with you! A few months ago I quit the archdiocese and found a priest who actually teaches the faith, says a beautiful and holy Mass and who is unabashedly Catholic and not afraid to say the word "Catholic" during the homily. My kids are the better for it and they see the difference from out old parish home. If it were just me, I would have stayed in my parish but I could see my kids drifting away slowly, especially my son. Since this priest only has a local hospital ministry, I kind of do feel like we are out in the desert!

Dang! I missed Howie Carr after 5 PM because I was in work. One thing I thought of immediately after I read your post was that our parish Masses are fairly full as well (although there are still plenty of seats unlike when I was a kid and you had to arrive 15 minutes early or risk standing in the back of the church for the entire Mass) but that's because the Mass times have been curtailed - same with the parishes around our area. Just try to find a Mass at 5 PM on Sunday afternoons. So the 20% of Boston area Catholics who do attend Mass weekly have fewer Masses to attend in the parishes... hence, the appearance of full pews. Another thing are the full to bursting CCD classes (my parish doesn't have a school) and the non-attendance at Mass of most of the families - send them to CCD and then play sports on Sundays and finally never go to Mass as soon as the kid makes his/her Confirmation.

The way I look at it, most of the suburban people can get into their cars and find a Mass much easier than the people of the poorer areas can do. I'm glad O'Malley didn't just close the poorer parishes. In one closing suburban parish in Weymouth, the parishioners are considering 'opting out' and creating an American Catholic Church because they are so mad... the priest is Fr. Ron Coyne - beloved and heterodox. Even members of my own family are devoted to him because of his love for the people.

I am waiting to see if the parishes remaining open will experience a priestly 'reconfiguration' process.

Yes, the hospital is a small one in the diocese of Fall River - next town over from me. One Sunday we attended a Mass in a Fall River diocese parish and this hosptial ministry priest happened to fill in for the regular priest - we were blown away and I talked to him afterwards and found that he has the hospital ministry.

It will cause problems later on because my daughter is slated to be Confirmed in May of 2005. She attends Catholic HS and doesn't have to attend the (fake) Confirmation classes in our home parish BUT, next year I will put her in them and wing it - honest to God, she is the only kid in Confirmation class who actually does attend Mass on Sundays - plus a rosary plus Benediction - but not in our home parish. My son is in 4th grade and I have homeschooled him in catechism since he made his First Communion. I'll just deal with the problem with him when it comes along.

I'm glad your parish (Gate of Heaven?) is safe - and Catholic. I think quite a few priests have 'opted out' spiritually, I remember my own parish priest (he's 70) telling me a few years ago that he thinks "we should distance ourselves from Rome because Rome doesn't understand American Catholics" - but you won't find his name on the 'list of 58' and we are here in the green pastures of the south shore, far away from the chancery.

The way I figured it was that although my son may never have a calling, IF he did, our local parish would do more to discourage it than to encourage it. That's when I knew I had to find a holy priest who was in line with the Magisterium and who shows the sheep the joy of the priesthood.

Your points are well made. I only posted my thoughts because they reflect the views of many others who dare not speak them, lest they be accused of being insensitive.

The only experience I can draw from is my own and the people in my family and circle of friends. It is true teenagers are often confused and vulnerable. It is also possible that some of these abused teenagers have more to their stories then any of us know.

I'm in St. Brigid's, but St. Brigid's and Gate of Heaven are a "cluster," i.e., the priests live at St. Brigid's rectory and serve both churches, and one bulletin is printed to cover both.

St. Brigid's is great, though. The church building was built in, I think, 1932, to replace the old St. Eulalia's, which burned down. It's pretty ordinary. But the lower church is great -- they seem to have kept an old-fashioned altar from St. Eulalia's, and the Sacrament is reserved in the Tabernacle (right in the middle, where it belongs, IMHO); the altar table is in the usual place. The communion rails are still there, should there ever be a need for them again.

There's a lovely statue of Joan of Arc (really the nicest church statue I've ever seen), dedicated by the then-pastor to the men of the parish who served and died in WWI, and a nice old-fashioned statue of St. Eulalia.

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