Here's a link to the "Hammonton News" piece that describes how happy and relieved the St. Anthony's parishioners are (I'm sure my neighbors feel this way) that their church is now "safe." The bottom line here is that we all want to believe what is easiest to believe. Let's hope and pray that the church does survive, but let's also remember what Fr. Gregorio said in his letter to the editor of the Cape May Herald. He said that more painful consolidations will be necessary in 2015. This more than implies that Bishop Galante, Msgr. Joyce, Ms. Vollmer, and Msgr. McGrath have plans far into the future to completely disfigure the Diocese of Camden beyond our wildest nightmares. (One wonders if Gregorio "let one slip" he wasn't supposed to.)
Whoever believes that Bishop Galante and Company will in the long term allow one small, South Jersey town to keep three--count 'em--THREE churches when others will be left with none is fooling himself. (Besides, God only knows what's going on negotiation-wise with the town of Hammonton and the various properties. Judging from the mayor and police chief's attitude toward protesters alone, one wonders how much the town is involved in all this.)
If the idea was to keep St. Anthony's from filing an appeal, which we know they were prepared to do, then perhaps the bishop has succeeded. Think about it. Why would a church appeal if they believe they are safe? This is an easy way to break down resistance. It's a little like that Stockholm Syndrome you've probably heard of. It's that strange mental condition in which kidnapped, tortured, or abused people become loyal to their abusers. Ironically, many in these newly "safe" churches may now think well of the bishop and defend his actions, even though he put their church on the chopping block, a place it may in reality still be. If people believe their church will survive, they may stop fighting. Well guys, don't stop fighting. Don't be fooled. Our churches and our Faith is not safe until we are all assured the right to worship without threat, in peace, in the houses of God our ancestors built us.
(As usual, thanks to our faithful readers for forwarding us the link.)
Whoever believes that Bishop Galante and Company will in the long term allow one small, South Jersey town to keep three--count 'em--THREE churches when others will be left with none is fooling himself. (Besides, God only knows what's going on negotiation-wise with the town of Hammonton and the various properties. Judging from the mayor and police chief's attitude toward protesters alone, one wonders how much the town is involved in all this.)
If the idea was to keep St. Anthony's from filing an appeal, which we know they were prepared to do, then perhaps the bishop has succeeded. Think about it. Why would a church appeal if they believe they are safe? This is an easy way to break down resistance. It's a little like that Stockholm Syndrome you've probably heard of. It's that strange mental condition in which kidnapped, tortured, or abused people become loyal to their abusers. Ironically, many in these newly "safe" churches may now think well of the bishop and defend his actions, even though he put their church on the chopping block, a place it may in reality still be. If people believe their church will survive, they may stop fighting. Well guys, don't stop fighting. Don't be fooled. Our churches and our Faith is not safe until we are all assured the right to worship without threat, in peace, in the houses of God our ancestors built us.
(As usual, thanks to our faithful readers for forwarding us the link.)