Springfield, Ill., Jan 8, 2006 / 22:00 pm
The Diocese of Springfield has launched a process to help determine which churches should close given demographic shifts and the shortage of priests. But, according to the Boston Globe, diocesan officials have learned from the nightmare that occurred in the Archbishop of Boston in 2004 and appear determined to avoid the same situation.
Archbishop Sean O'Malley's decision nearly two years ago in 2004 to close nearly one in six churches in the Archdiocese of Boston triggered lawsuits and occupation of church buildings as parishioners refused to let their churches be closed.
In Springfield, church officials are seeking input from parishioners and lay Catholic leaders, as well as from those outside the church, as they decide how to reorganize the diocese. They are holding a Web chat to get the input of parishioners, and they plan to close parishes slowly.
This week, the diocese plans to hold a two-hour live online chat, during which Catholics can question Fr. John Bonzagni, who is in charge of the reorganization.