To the Editor:
The congregation of Our Lady of the Assumption in Bayonne has learned with great dismay that the church will close on January 1, 2016. The parishioners were shocked and very upset when a letter from the Archdiocese of Newark was read on Sunday, September 27. This decision was unexpected, and affected us all spiritually and emotionally.
It was unexpected because we have had in Bayonne in the past few years many meetings, all under the direction of Archdiocesan representatives, to discuss the “New Energies,” come up with a resolution, and make a recommendation to the Archdiocese. At our last meeting, which was also attended by our beloved and recently departed Bishop Donato, the recommendation agreed upon was that Assumption would stay independent and continue to minister especially to the Italian and Spanish communities, both spiritually and culturally. Other than changes of parish names, the major change in the decision read appears to be the closing of Assumption.
It was a surprise because the letter was read while Pope Francis was being enthusiastically received and loved by millions of people of all faiths in our cities while he was emphasizing “love thy neighbor” and “respect and welcome all.” The message read that same day appears to be contrary to the pope’s message. It was also surprising because the recorded Mass attendance at Assumption and at Our Lady of Mount Carmel church, with which we are to merge, are the two highest compared with other churches in Bayonne.
It affects spiritually and emotionally, not only the most vulnerable, the new waves of immigrants, who have found a home in which to pray and maintain their cultures, but also the American born, whose parents and grandparents established the parish, and who continue to call Assumption their family home. The cultures of the Italians and Hispanics would be lost in this merger. Although the letter indicates that Spanish masses would be celebrated at St. Vincent’s and St. Mary’s, they would not replicate the religious and cultural life the Hispanics have experienced at Assumption. Also, the letter does not make any mention of any Mass to be celebrated in Italian at any of the churches. The result may be that some Italians and Hispanics would be discouraged from going to church at all. This would certainly be contrary to the hopes and visions of Pope Francis.
We hope to be able to express our feelings, opinions, and concerns to the Archdiocese.
LUDOVICO NOLFO