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June 12, 2003 - In Response to the Peter Gelzinis column of June 12, 2003, Boston Herald, p. 14. The article reads: “’This decision (to close St. Augustine’s elementary school) came out of the parish, not the … archdiocese,’” said the Lake Street flak, the Rev. Christopher J. Coyne.” Response: The answer in the article cited by Mr. Gelzinis was given in response to the question from the reporter, “I thought the Archdiocese said they would not close any more schools?” The response was that “while we hoped not to close any more schools, the decision to close St. Augustine’s school came out of the parish and not the Archdiocese.” This is a matter of fact, namely that the administration of the Archdiocese did not initiate this decision at this time. It was not in any way intend it to be an effort to lay blame for the reasons as to why the decision was made to close the school. The article reads: “The truth is both [Fr. Coyne] and the archdiocese’s bean counters are well aware of the staggering $5 million plus debt that hangs, like an anvil, around this pastor’s neck.” Response: During the jubilee year 2000, the Archdiocese of Boston wrote off close to $250,000 in debt owed by St. Augustine’s Parish. Since that time, they have accrued no further debt. Where Mr. Gelzinis got the $5 million figure from is unclear. The article reads: Quoting a South Boston woman, “The church is walking away from poor people,” and a nun, “The archdiocese has no plan for keeping inner-city schools open. Support goes where the money is – to the suburbs, or to wealthier neighborhoods.” Response: The facts say otherwise. A simple perusal of the budget figures of the Archdiocese on the rcab.org website clearly shows these claims to be wrong. The article reads: “In Southie’s Lower End, people on their way to the Broadway Red Line stop walk by a grand stone church, St. Peter and St. Paul’s, being “cut up” and recycled into luxury condos.” Response: While condos are being built in the former church, 25% are earmarked as affordable housing specifically for the neighborhood. In addition, the money from the sale of St. Peter and St. Paul’s has stayed in Southie’s Lower End to be used within St. Vincent de Paul parish. |
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