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Mausoleum Application Will Be WithdrawnBy Desiree Parker Sunday, January 22, 2012 St. Bede Church has decided to withdraw its application for a contentious mausoleum, but not without some words of reproach from the church’s leader Monsignor McCarron to some citizens and the press. McCarron sent an email to parishioners Saturday announcing the church would withdraw its application for a large mausoleum on the property. The mausoleum would have helped the church pay for various church and community programs; “unfortunately, this worthy ministry was seized as a cause for deep contention by some,” he wrote.“Misrepresented and opened to false conjecture by people who neither contacted me nor the committee for the facts of the project, this was unfortunately seized by the local media.” The application was supposed to go before the James City County Board of Supervisors in November, but the church requested a deferral. In the meanwhile, many residents who live near the church and some church parishioners came to the Board with concerns that the mausoleum would be too close to their homes, pose environmental risks, reduce property values and more. The Board expected the church to hold meetings with neighbors to address concerns after the Planning Commission suggested it, but as of its January meeting it wasn’t clear that any public meetings had occurred. The Board asked the church’s attorney in the case to find out the meeting schedule and report back. Meanwhile, bills were presented in the General Assembly that would have allowed the mausoleum to proceed without county approval. Citizens told the Board they were worried that the planned legislation had somehow been created due to the mausoleum project, but legislators said the local implication was unintended and they aimed to work on rectifying the bills. McCarron said he had been in “lengthy and private contact with staff and parishioners, neighbors, committee and Council members. I have spoken confidentially to those in county government, our legal advisors and fellow pastors.” While he still believes the plan is a good idea for the church and might find support if it were located elsewhere on the property, “I cannot ignore the fact that such approval could well come at the price of impaired relations with our neighbors, and continued disagreement amongst a group within the parish.” McCarron said he was concerned that, should the project move forward right now, it “could hamper our ability to accomplish projects central to our future.” The committee is looking at alternatives to the proposal, but right now the project is being withdrawn. He noted in conclusion, “it is never wrong to make one’s voice and opinion known, if such an opinion is held in truth and charity… however, gossip, character defamation, and involvement in public attacks on the parish family of which one is a communicant, often anonymous, indeed all such vitriol. Is simply not of our Lord, and is seriously sinful. “As we march forward… I promise you that I will never allow such voices, within or outside of our parish to determine our steps. Period.” |
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Comments
"I have been in lengthy and private contact with staff and parishioners, neighbors, committee and Council members".
These words so indicate the fact that McCarron has never had a public, open door meeting as Greg Davis allowed one to believe during the BOS and PC meetings. In fact, just recently Davis stated that McCarron would have an open parish meeting sometime in January and that never happened.
Additionally, McCarron scolds as follows:
"It is never wrong to make one's voice and opinion known, if such an opinion is held in truth and charity. However, gossip, character defamation, and involvement in public attacks on the parish family of which one is a communicant, often anonymous, indeed all such vitriol, is simply not of our Lord, and is seriously sinful".
The irony of his statement is that the result of HIS own lack of public communication created exactly what he described, yet he takes no responsibility for being the enabler. By his method of control, McCarron himself, created the volatile and antagonistic circumstances he so detests and he believes that those who have caused such an uproar are the sinners.
His defiance is shown in his final statement as follows:
"....I promise to you that I will never allow such voices, within or outside of our parish to determine our steps. Period".
As a man of the cloth who claims to be "of the Lord", his olive branch is filled with thorns. The Lord would not approve.
And add to that the amount parishioners have stopped contributing as well as those who have left the parish - this was an expensive mistake no matter how you calculate it.
Sandra D. wrote on Jan 22, 2012 11:50 AM:
" Please stop the nonsense with the building of ANY mausoleum already. Monsignor you had the opportunity to rescind this application gracefully. Unfortunately you did not seize this opportunity as a moment for healing instead you continued to threaten and pursue an issue most parishioners want ended. The Church community does not consist of a few but many. I believe you have underestimated your parish family who oppose any building of a mausoleum on this property.People have a right to have their voices heard about a project which will exist long after you have been reassigned. I too agree we place our souls in jeopardy when we spread rumors, innuendo and slander. However to suggest we can disagree while remain silent is absurd. Opinions are just that opinions in which we are entitled. I pray you come to the realization that this project has torn our parish apart unnecessarily. I trust you will also agree it is time to place this issue aside and bring the much needed healing love of Christ to our parish community. Please let us stop provoking but begin invoking the peace of the Lord upon our entire community. "