Public and Locals Begin to React Againt the Closing of St. Michaels Church

Attached is an article printed in today's Atlantic City Press' Voice of the People column that Challenges the Diocese unilateral decision and untenable position to close St. Michael's Church in Atlantic City, NJ. Keep St. Michael's open The 112-year-old St. Michael's Church in Atlantic City should not close. It is the spiritual center for 300 souls and an irreplaceable reflection of God's beauty on Earth. It is also the iconic home of thousands who consider it a shrine to their faith and their Italian-American heritage. It offers European intimacy and a unique spirit represented in its newly renovated multi-million dollar interior. It deserves to be memorialized, revitalized and refitted for Ducktown's new mission: to renew a neighborhood that is gradually deteriorating. The Catholic Diocese of Camden should not abandon a neighborhood when it is most in need. Yes, many of us may be responsible for not paying more attention to what has happened to St. Mike's and Ducktown over the years, but we have this one last chance for redemption. We supporters of St. Mike's have offered to pay off the debt, rebuild its parishioner base, find priests to celebrate Mass and work with the city to help renew the neighborhood. In exchange, St. Mike's must remain open for Sunday celebration of Mass and special feast days. All this was denied. We are laypersons who want to do our work, the work of our Church. St. Mikes belongs to us and to Ducktown. Daniel Fedeli Egg Harbor Township