Church Closings

February 13, 2009

Rivals of church closing renamed

Name changed after diocese issues statement stressing no affiliation with group.

By Mark Guydish mguydish@timesleader.com
Education Reporter
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SCRANTON – The new group formed to oppose the closing of some Catholic churches has changed its name in response to a statement issued by the Diocese of Scranton.

The group was initially dubbed the “Council of Parishes of the Diocese of Scranton,” but will now be the “Council of Parishes of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Area.”

The group had its organizational meeting Feb. 5, drawing representatives from six churches. The formation of the group came after the announcement of scores of church closings made during Saturday and Sunday Masses on Jan. 31 and Feb.1.

The diocese quickly issued a statement stressing the group had no affiliation with the Diocese of Scranton, and called the opposition to the closings “a rejection of serious efforts put forth” by parish members who participated in a year-long process leading to the closings.

Group founders Noreen and Anthony Foti sent a letter Thursday to Bishop Joseph Martino noting the change.

“Although we were saddened by your remarks earlier this week regarding this association, we now realize that including the Diocese of Scranton as part of our title could imply that the Council of Parishes may have an official affiliation with the Diocese of Scranton,” they wrote. The name change is intended “to avoid any appearance” of such an affiliation.

“Our newly formed organization has a simple mission: to help coordinate and support efforts of Christ’s faithful to preserve existing viable, sustainable parish communities that have been targeted for closure,” the letter continues. “We are not experts in canon law, but we believe provisions of canon law allow for an association of this type.”

The group also asks Martino to recognize the council “as an association of the Christian Faithful in accordance with canon law.”

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