Ambition versus 
principles

To the Editor,

A few bishops, abbots and priests, when they are given the position of administering the diocese, the abbey and the parish, may not operate these facilities financially and effectively when their ambition overtakes their principles.

Presently, four churches — St. Thomas More, St. Benedict’s, St. Gertrude’s and Sts. Peter and Paul — have been suspended in our area from two months to one year or longer, and no one is concerned as much as they should be.

St. Thomas More of Dalzell is a small parish with about 60-70 active members, although it is more modern than the rest. The other churches have similar problems but all have worked diligently to upgrade their physical facilities and are not in debt.

We should hear more protests from all who have suffered the loss of church services. This is difficult because the diocese owns the deed to all church property, for they have, years ago, “expropriated” our church property.

Also, I feel that the bishop will take time to render an opinion on whether these churches will become viable with excuses that some buildings are too old, some have few parishioners or there are other churches in the same town, etc.

By the time the decision is made, most of the parishioners will be attending other churches in the area and the possibility of returning to their church will be a moot point.

Today, the church is more autocratic than the government take-over of GM and Chrysler. Ford, GM and Chrysler deliver cars for sale to their dealers, but they “do not own” the dealerships. The diocese just sends a priest to a church because they “own” their dealership (parishes).

The diocese can sell any parish church and facilities, and the parishioners who paid for the land, building, fixtures and upkeep, and who do not have the deed to that property, are left with nothing.

I have written to the bishop to have the deed changed, so the parishioners of the village own this property, however, I have not gotten a response.

Carlo Olivero

Dalzell