Doublespeak South Jersey

St Nicholas in Egg Harbor City is the latest to say no to the bishop but the public relations double-speak continues on:

"The feelings of loss when there is a change like this really are natural and are to be expected," [diocese spokesman Andrew] Walton said. "And yet, the bishop announced retentions for the reconfiguration because he felt it was necessary at this time, that it was necessary if the church is to experience growth, it was necessary for the Church to respond to the needs of the people, and necessary given the pressing challenges facing the Church, not just in (southern New) Jersey, but in many areas of the country."

So let's see:

• "Feelings of loss are natural and to be expected" but we're going to do what we want whether you like it or not.
• "We want the church to experience growth" so we're going to shut half the churches and sell them to Wawa and real estate con men.
• "We are responding to the needs of the people" even though the people are packing the churches in opposition.
• "This is necessary given the pressing challenges facing the church in South Jersey" even though the most obviously pressing challenge is a bishop who wants to sell off every piece of real estate he can lay his hands on.

Meanwhile back in the World of Reality, the Press quotes St. Nicholas parishioner Jim McGeary: "We are self-sufficient financially and are able to pay our bills without a problem" and fellow parishioner Terri Cantz: "My ancestors literally laid the bricks that helped build St. Nicholas and my grandchildren were the fifth generation from my family to attend the St. Nicholas school. This parish is a piece of our upbringing, it's a piece of our character and it deserves to stay here."

And there we have it folks: a church built with the sweat of the people and still being financially cared for by their descendants and their new neighbors is being ghettoized in the new segregation and set-up for a predictable financial crisis that will excuse it's closing in the next round of sell-offs.

Is anyone buying this stuff?