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  Politicians Bemoan Shutdown of Churches

By Lisa Grzyboski
Courier-Post
April 4, 2008

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080404/NEWS01/804040377/1006/news01

Elected officials and neighborhood leaders in communities affected by Thursday's church closings announcement said they want to work with church officials to ensure the properties are put to the best possible use.

"The Catholic Church has the right to sell its property and make a profit, but it has to consider the effect on the neighborhoods," said Angel Fuentes, Camden's council president.

In Camden, two church properties — Holy Name and St. Bartholomew — could be closed and sold. He encouraged Catholic leaders to consider putting the churches to religious or community uses such as spiritual retreats or youth programs.

"Right now, the faithful Catholics feel like they've been stripped of a spiritual home," Fuentes said. "The sense of hopelessness is beginning to sink into their minds and hearts."

"The churches have been sanctuaries for these neighborhoods," he said.

In Cherry Hill, Queen of Heaven Church and its adjacent school have been part of the township's Erlton section for 53 years and 51 years, respectively. Both are closing and merging with St. Peter Celestine, also in Cherry Hill.

Queen of Heaven sits right on busy Route 70 in the heart of Erlton's business district.

If the church and school property were to be sold, its new use should be consistent with the small businesses and single-family houses in the neighborhood, said Phil Guerrieri of the Erlton South Civic Association.

Gloucester County Freeholder-Director Stephen M. Sweeney said he hopes church leaders will present some sort of plan to local government officials about the future uses of the five church properties that will close and potentially be sold.

"The disturbing thing is Gloucester County is the first or second fastest growing county in the state and the diocese is decreasing services here," Sweeney said. "We've been fighting them for years to get a Catholic high school here. Closing churches is not sending the right message."

In Deptford, two churches — St. John Vianney and Most Holy Redeemer — are scheduled to merge with out-of-town parishes.

Mayor Paul Medany, who graduated from Most Holy Redeemer School, said his parents helped build the church in 1958, and that his children graduated from the school, too.

"My mom is devastated," he said. "We're disappointed, as a family and as a community."

Reach Lisa Grzyboski at (856) 486-2931 or lgrzyboski@courierpostonline.com

 
 

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