Parishioners own parishes, Boston lay activists argue (CWN)

[stumbler]

Boston, May. 24 (CWNews.com) - A lay activist group has filed suit against the Boston archdiocese to stop parish closings.

The Council of Parishes, an ad hoc group drawn from the membership of some of the 62 parishes designated to be closed, have asked Massachusetts courts to stop the sales of parish properties. The lay group argues that Archbishop Sean O’Malley does not have the legal authority to sell parishes.

'The parishioners own the parish," Jon Rogers, a spokesman for the group, told a May 23 press conference. 'We bought it; we paid for it; we built it." The group argues that the archbishop holds the property in trust for the parishioners, and although he can change the canonical status of a parish, he cannot sell the property. . . .

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Full article

 

[Scott_Lafrance]

stumbler:

Boston, May. 24 (CWNews.com) - A lay activist group has filed suit against the Boston archdiocese to stop parish closings.

The Council of Parishes, an ad hoc group drawn from the membership of some of the 62 parishes designated to be closed, have asked Massachusetts courts to stop the sales of parish properties. The lay group argues that Archbishop Sean O’Malley does not have the legal authority to sell parishes.

'The parishioners own the parish," Jon Rogers, a spokesman for the group, told a May 23 press conference. 'We bought it; we paid for it; we built it." The group argues that the archbishop holds the property in trust for the parishioners, and although he can change the canonical status of a parish, he cannot sell the property. . . .

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Full article

This is the whole “My weekly offerings are an investment in real estate” error that affects most Catholics, unfortunately. They don’t realize that the money they throw in the basket becomes the property of the Church, which they then control. Anyone who puts money in the offering basket and thinks they are supposed to see some type of physical return isn’t “giving”, they are investing. God loves a charitable giver, not a shrewd investor.

 

[Lisa_N]

Scott_Lafrance:

This is the whole “My weekly offerings are an investment in real estate” error that affects most Catholics, unfortunately. They don’t realize that the money they throw in the basket becomes the property of the Church, which they then control. Anyone who puts money in the offering basket and thinks they are supposed to see some type of physical return isn’t “giving”, they are investing. God loves a charitable giver, not a shrewd investor.

Scott, I do believe this argument is being used to try to protect our parishes from the lawsuits by sex abuse victims. The archdiocese is being sued, not the parishes and they are claiming that the archdiocese does not own the individual church properties. Frankly I hope that is the way the ruling comes down as we may be forced like that other diocese to sell everything to pay the claims.

Lisa N

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Lisa N:

Scott, I do believe this argument is being used to try to protect our parishes from the lawsuits by sex abuse victims. The archdiocese is being sued, not the parishes and they are claiming that the archdiocese does not own the individual church properties. Frankly I hope that is the way the ruling comes down as we may be forced like that other diocese to sell everything to pay the claims.

Lisa N

I read the article and I did not get that impression.

The impression I got is that the Diocese is closing parishes and then planning on selling the property of the then defunct parish.

These people are upset that their parish is closing and want to hold on to the property.

My question is, who will take care of the upkeep of the property if the parish is closed.