NEW BEDFORD (MA)
South Coast Today
By NATALIE SHERMAN
nsherman@s-t.com
September 29, 2012
NEW BEDFORD — City councilors have upped the pressure on the Fall River diocese to reverse its decision to close historic St. John the Baptist Church, requesting a meeting with the bishop and faulting the parish priest for not fighting on behalf of the parishioners.
“You know what could really strengthen this whole thing is if we had a priest who would stand up for the church, for the parishioners,” At-Large Councilor Brian Gomes said at the City Council meeting Thursday night. “Tonight I put Father Jack on the line.”
The Rev. John J. Oliveira, who is pastor of both St. John the Baptist and Our Lady of Mount Carmel churches, where St. John’s parishioners will attend, has deferred requests for comment to the diocese.
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