What’s the worst that could happen?

For many Catholics in the Diocese of Buffalo, that would be the return of the infamous Journey in Faith and Grace. Renamed the “Journey in Loss of Faith and Disgrace” by the faithful and even some clergy, this diocesan movement slashed the number of Catholic churches in Western New York from 275 to 178 several years ago.

In 2008, St. Hyacinth and St. Hedwig parishes in Dunkirk were made to merge to become Blessed Mary Angela Parish. St. Hedwig’s dodged a bullet, as it was initially slated to close. Looking back, it seems even as the announcement was being made that both worship sites would remain open, a plan was being devised by the chancery to insure the merger would fail.

Uniting these two fiercely independent parishes would be a monumental undertaking under the best of circumstances. So what does the chancery do? It sends to Dunkirk a part-time pastor with no people skills, who would divide his time among the diocesan seminary, the chancery and, oh yes, BMA Parish. Father Czeslaw Krysa’s first official acts as pastor were to knock down rectory walls to build himself a fancy library at considerable expense to the parishioners and to ban funerals on Tuesdays so as not to interfere with his day off. Needless to say, what would prove to be a mass exodus of BMA parishioners to other churches commenced immediately.

After 17 months of a parish in crisis, Krysa was replaced by the current pastor, Father Matt Nycz. In his first appearance on the pulpit, the best Nycz could muster was, “I did not apply to be here. But when Bishop Kmiec asked me to come here, I took that to be God’s will.” No words to the effect that he was happy to be here, eager to accept the challenge of completing the merger etc. Not then and not now.

Hindsight is always 20/20. It’s becoming increasingly clear that Nycz’s “vision” is to shut down one of the Polish churches before he leaves for greener pastures next February. In recent times, it has become common practice for him to assume the persona of “The Riddler” or “The Artful Dodger.” Don’t expect a straight answer from him. If e-mailing, don’t expect an answer at all. The gloom-and-doom snippets he delivers from the pulpit each week leave most of the flock scratching their heads and wondering what he’s talking about.

For instance, one week Nycz pushes his agenda for closing one of the churches by writing in the bulletin that the status quo simply can’t go on. Two weeks later, he is assuring the parishioners that everything is staying open and repairs and maintenance will be made to all the parish buildings. He continues, however, to harp on the cost of said repairs, conveniently leaving out the fact that the parish currently has $722,000 in its diocesan investment fund, enough to keep both worship sites well maintained for several years to come. Although other Dunkirk pastors publish the amount of their parish’s diocesan investment fund in their annual financial statement, Nycz does not. This continued lack of transparency on the part of the pastor is quite troubling.

Another example is the ongoing parish census which Nycz claims is being undertaken to provide the parish council with information it needs to develop a five-year vision. In actuality, Sister Regina Murphy, the driving force behind the Journey in Faith and Grace, is clamoring for “numbers” to justify closing more churches in 2015. Nycz recently informed weekend Mass-goers that 300 census forms were returned and reminder letters would be going out to the 300 families who had not responded. The problem with that? The financial statement released last fall listed 905 families for BMA Parish. What happened to 305 families between then and now?

What should be of considerable concern is Nycz’s announcement that those who do not complete and return the census form will have their names removed from the parish register. The census form is not user-friendly, especially to the many elderly in the parish. Many parishioners who faithfully attend Mass each week mistakenly believe their collection envelope will suffice to keep them an active member.

To have parishioners removed from the rolls will serve Murphy’s agenda, however. And a low parish enrollment does not bode well for the longevity of St. Hyacinth Church. The Journey in Faith and Grace is well known for closing massive, half-empty Polish churches. As it stands, the much more compact St. Hedwig’s Church can easily accommodate all weekend Mass attendees.

Blessed Mary Angela parishioners need to take a proactive approach to this continued attack on their churches and they need to do it now. Stay informed. Ask questions such as “Why is this talk of consolidation still happening when Pope Francis declared that there would be no more church closings?” Demand a town hall meeting be scheduled as soon as possible. And above all, write to Bishop Richard Malone, 795 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203. Only HE has the authority to close a church in this diocese – no one else. Don’t know what to write or reluctant to reveal your name? Mail this column to him anonymously. There is strength in numbers.

For the most up-to-date information on the situation at Blessed Mary Angela Parish, please check frequently the website www.CPACS2015.com manned by Bill Parks.

Mary Ann Herrington is an OBSERVER correspondent. Comments on this story are welcome and may be sent to faramah@roadrunner.com.