Quote Originally Posted by ghettopalmetto View Post
And that's the kicker. The Diocese spent millions upon millions of dollars building new churches in the suburbs, chasing a fleeing population, and now it's the urban parishes that have to suffer for it.

This, to me, is completely inconsistent with Catholic values.
I don't disagree, but the people didn't follow the churches in their relocation. Rather, the churches followed the people.

What's the point of keeping St. Joseph open when 95% of the former parishoners live in places like Macomb Township? If you don't provide for them in their new location, you'll eventually lose them.

Or take the Jewish population. Let's say all the synagogues stayed open in NW Detroit, even as everyone moved to W. Bloomfield. What's the point? You would lose the subsequent generations. Folks aren't going to drive an hour for worship, religious education, social events, etc.