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To the Editor:
The Nov. 13 issue has several articles about the mergers of a number of parishes in the Archdiocese. The cardinal is quoted as saying that the maintenance of facilities has taken priority over efforts at evangelization.
In “Parish Mergers, List One” and “Parish Mergers, List Two,” the churches (with asterisks) will be the designated parish churches. In “Parish Mergers, List One,” Masses and the sacraments will continue to be celebrated in the merged (no asterisk) churches.
In “Parish Mergers, List Two,” Masses and the sacraments will no longer be celebrated at the merged (no asterisk) churches after Aug. 1, 2015 on a regular basis, but the churches will remain and may still be used on special occasions.
How do these arrangements lessen the need for church/facility maintenance?
Before I read the articles, I assumed that certain churches would be torn down and their property would be sold. If consolidation of priests, property and parishes is the goal, then why will all of these churches continue to operate in one capacity or another?
Geraldine Voelkel
Bronx
