Julie and Theo took a bus into Camden NJ this morning to attend a rally in support of St Mary’s. It’s one of dozens of churches that the Diocese of Camden has slated for closure. St. Mary’s Father Romanowski was scheduled to meet Bishop Galante today but the Bishop canceled at the last minute. Channel Six Action News profiled St Mary’s a few days ago and the video gives you a little idea why it’s a special little church.
More pictures of the St Mary’s rally here.
Best wishes.
Look here for the Courier Post article.
Yes, there were definitely more than 75 of us there! Two full busses and some came in their own cars.
For the bishop to not show up to a meeting he scheduled with a priest is incredibly rude, but a fairly tried strategy to try to dissipate the energy of the ralliers and cool the situation down. I don’t think it was any accident that he didn’t show. It’s much preferable for the members of the proposed closed churches to just “roll over.” Well not everybody’s gonna lie down and take it when the church is closed and their holy priest taken from them for no good reason and without discussion.
In any case, it looks like, from the article, that the diocesan spokesperson had more to say to the press than to our dear Fr. Romanowski. It is interesting to note that not only does St. Mary’s NOT have any debt or difficulty paying its bills, it has a significant bequeathment that more than secures St. Mary’s. I’m sure the diocese is aware of this. What is the motivation? There are other churches in the diocese who survived the cuts that are far less viable than St. Mary’s. And of course, spirituality aside, St. Mary’s is a lovely old church and unique in that respect, compared to the more modern monstrosities that do God’s majesty no justice.
Please pray and act in support of St. Mary’s and Fr. Romanowski! We need HOLY priests and HOLY parishes!!!