CHURCH CLOSINGS: Peter Borre, Boston Consultant, Speaks Here Oct. 1

Advice Given to Catholics Whose Churches Are Threatened

September 16, 2013
By: Dave Rogers

We all know religion and politics are emotional issues.

However, seldom have emotions, and blood pressures, soared so high over religion in the mid-Michigan area as currently.

The Roman Catholic Church that has helped the Saginaw Valley grow since the 1850s is under severe strain as declining membership and a shortage of priests has prompted Bishop Joseph Cistone to launch a program called "Planning Tomorrow's Parishes."

The Bishop said recently if the parishes stand together and work cooperatively to face challenges, the mergers can and will work for the betterment of everyone. "The Lord is guiding us -- I continue to have great hope," he said.

A massive rally recently in Sebewaing was aimed at confronting Bishop Cistone. However, he ducked the confrontation and issued a statement via videos.mlive.com in response to parishioner complaints.

Some Catholic churches will be placed on "occasional use" basis, a move a consultant from Boston, Peter Borre, who spoke here in June, said often is a sign the church will eventually be closed and the property sold.

Catholic bishops personally own every piece of property in their dioceses, a factor that some critics note could be significant in case of lawsuits targeting bishops.

Borre spoke at the Bay City Country Club in June to a crowd estimated at 140, a presentation that has stirred many previously apathetic parishioners to action.

National Catholic News website headlined: "Peter Borre's June 17th Presentation At BCCC Is A Huge Success!"

The report continued: "St. Matthew's Appeal Group, which hosted the event, was hoping for at least 10-12 parishes, and at least 40-50 people to attend. The turnout was phenomenal, with at least 22 parishes in attendance, and over 140 attendees."

According to reports, some Catholics have quit the church and joined Protestant parishes, some have removed their children from Catholic schools, and some have even explored the possibility of purchasing closed churches and continuing operations privately in the building.

This is absolute ferment and turmoil unheard of in the normally conservative Catholic community.

An appeal to the Vatican by St. Matthew Parish, Zilwaukee, slated for closing, has been rejected.

However, Borre has been advising 13 Cleveland parishes that have won an appeal to Rome on their bishop's decision to close or merge some of them.

Ginger Marx, St. Matthew activist, said Borre will return here for a presentation Oct. 1 at the VFW Hall in Zilwaukee.

St. Matthew's members are opposing the bishop's ruling to merge that parish with a nearby church on grounds St. Matthew is more economically viable, is located in a better neighborhood, has a newer building and a larger parking lot.

An activist group in the Thumb called "Save Our Rural Parishes" attempted to confront the bishop recently when he spoke at a monthly prayer service in Sebewaing. Mrs. Marx said about 20-30 people were inside the church for the bishop's service while some 400 rallied outside.

The bishop did not speak to the group outside, claiming he was not invited to address them.

Traci L. Weisenbach has posted an exclusive interview with Cistone on the Tuscola County Advertiser's "Tuscola Today" website (www.tuscolatoday.com).

Meanwhile, Borre has asked local church members to circulate a compilation of his advice to parishioners, entitled "Pitfalls to Avoid in Canonical Appeals."

He offers information on the ten day limit for appeals to the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy, contact with the Papal Nuncio in Washington, wording of appeals,and what he calls "Power games among parishioners that play right into the hands of the hierarchy."