BCJ Letter to Editor from Dan Casey

 

 

Letter to the Editor:
I have come to the conclusion as of why the Dioceses
of Rockford, Bishop Doran as well as Father Geary, pastor
of St. James refuse to answer the questions concerning the
St. James project. If even one is answered another will
need to follow…and possibly some of the parishioners
that pledged out of duty or the willingness to obey might
rethink their pledge.
We were told that all PLEDGES are nonbinding as was
stated from the inception of the project. It could be that the
Dioceses is afraid of the complete melt-down of the project
by the parishioners if questions were to be answered…
so let’s say nothing…maybe the dissenter’s will just go
away…think again!
The failure of another Diocesan Pickle that eventually
led to the ouster of the Parishes Pastor Father Federspiel is
just another example of our Dioceses out of control.
Imagine if St. James were St. Anthony’s in Rockford,
mostly Italian parishioners, a young Priest, not a
Franciscan Friar was named pastor. His project, build a
large contemporary church in their parking lot and, when
built, teardown St. Anthony’s and save none of the historic
history of the building and tell the parishioners to just let it
go. It wouldn’t happen, I guarantee it wouldn’t.
So, shame on the Dioceses for pressing forward with
this project here at St. James. Two parishes are needed in
Belvidere. Freeport, Illinois has three and is smaller than
Belvidere.
If you don’t have the overwhelming majority of
parishioners in support of the project by now—which you
don’t—then you probably won’t—why don’t we ever hear
total project cost? It’s not $5.5 million, it is closer to $8
million, am I correct? That is another question to answer.
The aging parishioners here at St. James that rely on
canes, walkers or wheelchairs that use handicap parking
stalls, your future designated parking will be where your
Beautiful St. James now stands, you will need to cross
Caswell Street.
Sincerely,
Daniel Casey

The above is taken from page 2, of the April 27, 2012 Boone County Journal, available free of cost at merchants across the county and on line at:  http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2012/Boone-County-News-04-27-12.pdf#page=4