As if the housing slump, high gas prices and worries about the economy weren't enough to set residents on edge, now many in the region's Roman Catholic communities are finding that the place they turn for comfort - their parish church - is facing new turmoil.Cardinal Edward Egan recently reassigned about 47 priests, or 10 percent of the active priests in the New York Archdiocese.
As reported earlier this week, the transfers, which are effective July 1, are unprecedented, both in number and in the method of reassignment.
Many of the priests are in the middle of their terms; some learned of the reassignments in the most awkward of ways - when their replacements informed them of the change.
And there are enough rumors of payback and retribution swirling through the church pews that parishioners are starting to demand answers.
Parishioners at St. Gregory Barbarigo Church in Garnerville are petitioning to keep their beloved pastor, the Rev. Robert McKeon. "Without Father's leadership, many residents will look to leave our area and further depress our community," reads an online petition.
Parents at John F. Kennedy Catholic High School in Somers are equally distressed that their school president, the Rev. Stephen Norton, is being assigned to a parish in Hopewell Junction. Norton is not only a veteran educator who is well liked, he has a talent for inspiring students and teachers - as evidenced by increasing enrollment at Kennedy during his tenure. Many Kennedy parents who have ties to the St. Lawrence O'Toole school in Brewster feel the loss of Norton as a double blow. St. Lawrence O'Toole is slated for closing in June.
In an open letter to Cardinal Egan, Brewster parents Brian and Patricia Ledley wrote passionately of their anger, sadness and confusion at the transfer of the Rev. Norton and about the larger frustration at not knowing what to expect next from church leaders. "Our family's experience since March 7 (the date of the announcement of the elementary school closings) with this Archdiocese has been nothing but frustrating. We have left numerous messages with education department officials regarding St. Lawrence and have not even had the courtesy of a return phone call. My hope is that you might find the time to listen to our concerns and meet with us," the Ledleys wrote.
It is plain from these expressions that the moves have shocked and disappointed many parishioners, who only a few weeks ago shared in the euphoria of Pope Benedict's visit to Westchester and other U.S. locations. The faithful were already reeling and trying to come to terms with the closure of yet more Catholic schools.
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