CONCLUSION
St. Peter Church should not be closed on the basis of an unsupported claim that a shortage of priests exists and when the clear recommendation of Canon Law 517 §2 is ignored.
The closing of a church, fully supported and well maintained by its faith community, should not be determined on the basis of unsubstantiated facts such as lack of parking and handicapped access issues.
If the Archdiocese insists on closing St. Peter Church under these circumstances it risks the loss of souls. Moreover, the dedicated faithful of St. Peter Church can only conclude that the decision to abandon our historical church and its faith community is economic. Its cash assets, its Gothic church, its rectory, its former convent (Catholic Family Services}, its spacious back lawn, all located in a prime central location, its invaluable stained glass windows and its massive Oberlinger organ, all are valuable after the faith community is dispersed.
This tragic ending is not necessary.
Let all practicing Catholics take note. The actions of the Archdiocese of Hartford here affect not only the faith community of St. Peter Church but all of us. Who is next?
St. Peter's Society
P. O. Box 1611
New Britain, CT 06050
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