If you see someone who looks extremely nervous these days, that person is either a Luzerne County employee or a parishioner in the Diocese of Scranton.
It is widely believed the Luzerne County corruption scandal investigation is far from over, and more people will be going down. That's not today's topic.
Bishop Joseph Martino, this weekend, is due to announce a list of churches that will be closed. Rumor has it that it's a big list. Looking at this objectively, if the money isn't there, if the priests aren't there, and if the parishioners aren't there, your options are limited. Some churches simply have to be closed.
Subjectively, it's not so easy. No one wants to see their church closed. If you're a regular church-goer, chances are you were baptized and married in the same place. Ditto for your parents and your children. It will be most unpleasant and extremely sad, to see that door locked for the last time.
The only thing one can wish for, in a situation like this, is compassion. It was sorely lacking when a big bunch of Catholic schools were closed a couple years ago. There are those praying lessons were learned.
