Two recent letters to this column addressed [Buffalo Roman Catholic] diocesan restructuring; one favored closing churches while the other did not. Realistically, some churches need to be closed because of declining population and mass attendance, as well as deep-rooted financial instability.
However, churches should not be closed in the Diocese of Buffalo because of a shortage of priests, as long as there exists a remedy to mitigate this, at least in certain parishes.
The July issue of Bishop Edward Kmiec’s diocesan newspaper contains an article about countries in the European Union currently “importing” priests from Poland, where there is a surplus. There are many Polish parishes in the Buffalo diocese that would love to have a pastor who is Polish in more than name only. All the bishop needs to do is request them.
Placing priests from Poland in these parishes would free up their current pastors for other parishes. And how wonderful it would be to bring back some of the traditional religious services to Polonia.
As a result of their formation in the seminary, Polish priests are very humble, caring and devout spiritual leaders. If you have any doubt, visit Corpus Christi Church in Buffalo which is staffed by the Pauline Order straight from Poland.
Bishop Kmiec will be touring Poland in August for two weeks. What better time for the bishop to request the services of the Polish priests for the Diocese of Buffalo.
Mary Ann Herrington – Dunkirk
