Church closings news brings out demonstrators

Cecelia Dooley has worshipped at Holy Family Catholic Church at 4125 Humphrey Street in the Tower Grove South neighborhood of St. Louis for 52 years. Her three children attended its school. And her daughter was married there.

On Sunday, her efforts and the efforts of other parishioners led to a demonstration and prayer vigil in front of the archdiocese's administrative office, 4445 Lindell Boulevard. About 100 church members, from the elderly to preschoolers, said Hail Marys and Our Fathers and waved signs urging that the church remain open.

Given the shortage of priests, one of the reasons cited for the parish closings, [state Sen. Patrick] Dougherty suggested the church look again at the way things were run and consider operating churches with deacons and lay ministers rather than close a parish such as Holy Family.

I hope St. Louis is spared the "sit-ins" and other activities like those going on in the Boston Archdiocese. I hope this is not a prelude to actions of that type. Two people were arrested at a 'vigil' in Boston a few days ago.

Source.