Congregants need to stand to help churches survive

While the shortage of priests has led to church closings in the area, the real tragedy is that if present church policies continue, the lack of churches, priests and deacons will only become worse in the future.

The priests' hands are tied regarding this matter, the laity are not listened to.

We, the Catholic laity, need to come together and get involved. We need to strongly encourage our bishops and cardinals to initiate an immediate dialogue with Rome to enact realistic policies that would ease the shortage of priests.