Open Doors

FIRST schools were shut down, now the Diocese of Steubenville has opted to close a slew of churches and combine many others. Also, at some churches in the diocese, fewer Masses are going to be offered on Sundays. The current bishop seems to believe less is better for his flock. Catholic schools are the foundation for solid membership at churches. The bishop should do whatever it takes for diocesan schools to thrive. Moreover, closing churches results in less people attending Mass as travel enters into the equation. A closed church yields very little in return. Often they lay dormant. If sold, they are sold at well below their worth, with the diocesan coffers being the beneficiaries. It is time for the diocese to stop closing doors and doing less while, in the same breath, ask for more money.