I know that this contributor is not the only person who feels the "process" to determine which parishes would close and which ones would remain open was significantly flawed; that basically, it was biased and politically motivated. The argument goes that generally those who were "in" with the bishop got to keep their parishes open. I personally don't know since I wasn't a party to the discussions, and I don't know too much about diocesan politics. But the evidence is there. What do you think?

This is what was submitted to Save St. Marys yesterday, 6/23, by email:

Been doing some checking and researching and am attaching information I put together from the 2008 Diocesan Directory and several Issues of the Star Herald. 

I find it interesting that most of the members of the Bishop's committees who held the fates of our parishes in their hands, have just about kept all their Parishes open.

 

CAMDEN DIOCESE PRESBYTERIAL COUNCIL AND PARISHES TO BE KEPT OPEN OR CLOSED a/o 4/3/08

Most Rev Joseph A. Galante, Presider

Rev. Joseph E. Wallace, Exec Secretary (Christ the King-Haddonfield) OPEN, Stand Alone Parish

Rev. Thomas S. Donio, Recording Secretary (Nativity-Franklinville) OPEN

    - Merge Nativity (Franklinville), St. Bridget (Glassboro) and St. Catherine (Clayton)

      with worship sites at Nativity and St. Bridget (for Spanish community)

EX OFFICIO MEMBERS:

Rev. Msgr. John H. Burton (St. Isidore-Vineland) OPEN

      - merge with Sacred Heart (Vineland) as secondary worship site

Rev. Msgr. Peter M. Joyce (Incarnation-Mantua) OPEN - Stand Alone Parish

Msgr. Robert T. McDermott (St. Joe's Pro Cathedral-Camden) OPEN

-merge with St. Cecilia's (Pennsauken) & St. Veronica (Delair) (both closing)

Rev. Msgr. Roger E. McGrath (St. Pius X-Cherry Hill) OPEN

  -     Merge with Holy Rosary (closed)

Rev. Terry Odien (St. Peter Celestine-Cherry Hill) OPEN

  -      Merge with Queen of Heaven (closed)

Rev. William Weiksnar, OFM (Immaculate Conception-Bridgeton) OPEN

Merge St. Teresa of Avila (Bridgeton), Immaculate Conception (Bridgeton), St. Michael (Cedarville) and St. Mary (Rosenhayn-closing) with primary worship sites at  Immaculate Conception, particularly for the Hispanic community, and at St. Michael

Rev. Msgr. William A. Brennan (St. Pius X-Cherry Hill) OPEN

merge with Holy Rosary (closed)
 

APPOINTED MEMBERS:

Rev. Msgr. Joseph V. DiMauro (St. Patrick's-Woodbury) OPEN

Merge St. Patrick's (Woodbury), St. Matthew (National Park) and Most Holy Redeemer (Westville Grove-closing) with primary worship site at St. Patrick and secondary site at St. Matthew

Rev. Msgr. Thomas J. McIntyre (Star of the Sea- Cape May) OPEN, Stand Alone Parish

 

Rev. Msgr. Thomas J. Morgan (St. Thomas Moore-Cherry Hill) OPEN

Cluster St. Thomas Moore and St. Mary's (both open)

Rev. Msgr. Victor S. Muro (Immaculate Heart-Vineland) CLOSED

Merge Immaculate Heart with St. Francis of Assisi (Vineland) with worship site at St. Francis

Rev. Thomas A. Newton (St. Peter Celestine-Cherry Hill) OPEN

Merge St. Peter Celestine and Queen of Heaven (Cherry Hill - closing) with worship site at St. Peter Celestine

Rev. Msgr. William Quinn (St. Paul-Stone Harbor) OPEN

Merge Maris Stella (Avalon) with St. Paul with the primary worship site at Maris Stella and a secondary worship site at St. Paul

Rev. Msgr. Russell L. Rock (St. Maria Goretti-Runnemede) CLOSED

Merge St. Teresa (Runnemede) and St. Maris Goretti (Runnemede) with worship site at St. Teresa

Rev. Msgr. Patrick M. Tierney (Maris Stella-Avalon) OPEN

Merge with St. Paul (Stone Harbor) with primary worship site at Maris Stella and secondary site at St. Paul

Rev. Msgr. James R. Tracy (St. Charles Borromeo-Sicklerville) OPEN, Stand Alone Parish

 

ELECTED MEMBERS:

REPRESENTATIVES BY ORDINATION SENIORITY

Rev. Vincent G. Carpinelli-Group 1 (Our Lady of Lourdes-Glassboro) OPEN

Merge Our Lady of Lourdes (Glassboro) and Queen of Peace (Pitman) with primary worship site at Our Lady of Lourdes and a secondary site at Queen of Peace

Rev. Joseph D. Wallace-Group 2 (Christ the King-Haddonfield) OPEN, Stand Alone Parish

Rev. James A. Casadia-Group 3 (St. Ann's-Wildwood) OPEN

Merge St. Ann (Wildwood) with Assumption (Wildwood Crest) with the worship site at St. Ann.  Assumption will continue as a secondary site for summer tourists