Advertisement

Closed Church Welcomes Bishop

The Catholic Archdiocese of Boston allowed a bishop to say Easter mass at an East Boston parish that's been closed for nearly four years.

Parishioners of Our Lady of Mount Carmel have been holding vigil in the church since 2004, longer than any of the other four parishes still appealing their closures to the Vatican.

The archdiocese allowed Bishop Robert Hennessy to say Easter mass there, and some in the community thought that might be a signal Mount Carmel could be re-opened.

But Bishop Hennessy dashed that hope early in his sermon when he said, "My presence today does not change the policy, it doesn't affect the status of this church or this community. My presence today is a pastoral statement, one to be with you on a very special day."

A parish leader says he and his fellow protesters might soon end their vigil.

An archdiocese spokesman confirms there are no plans to re-open the church.

This program aired on March 24, 2008. The audio for this program is not available.

Advertisement

More from WBUR

Listen Live
Close