Yes, I do believe that closing parishes is God’s work in Boston right now in order to create stronger, more vibrant resources. For several decades this archdiocese has struggled with finances and can no longer afford to sustain so many parishes with badly needed maintenance with the number of current parishioners. Some people believe, “Build a church on every street corner, and the people will come.” Unfortunately, this just isn’t the case, and at this moment Boston needs to pool resources in order to invest in the future. Parishioners aren’t thrown out on the street. They are welcomed and invited to attend other parishes in their area. Some people outside of Boston may not realize that there are parishioners who are being asked to relocate less than a mile away.
Did Jesus smack His followers around or did he guide them over and over again, despite their many failures? Does a shepherd need to lay the smack down in order to be a sheperd?
Maybe Archbishop O’Malley is what Boston needs right now, a gentle shepherd. God doesn’t make mistakes, and I trust in God’s wisdom in bringing our archbishop to us.
People on this forum also seem to still equate people who support the washing of women’s feet on Holy Thursday with feminists and others who want “progressive,” radical change in the Church. This is simply not true. I am not a progressive or a liberal, and I am not crying for women priests or married clergy or any of the other radical changes some would like to see.
The Vatican has allowed the archbishop some latitude in this situation, and he has decided to take it. You of course have the right to disagree with the decision and are free to voice that opinion (even send the archbishop a letter), but it is not necessary to lash out against Archbishop O’Malley and everyone who supports him.