Franczyk: Diocesan Closings = 'Ethnic Cleansing' in Buffalo, New York

[Ian David]

Thursday, June 28, 2007 07:22 AM - WBEN Newsroom

Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - The Buffalo Common Council has adopted a resolution, blasting the city's Catholic Diocese for its church and school closings, likening it to "ethnic cleansing".

Council President David Franczyk sponsored the resolution, which also aims to ensure the Diocese disposes of the closed buildings in a proper manner, so they don't end up abandoned eyesores.

Franczyk tells WBEN on Buffalo's Early News that he does not regret his statement, saying there are "all kinds of methods of deconstructing ethnic presence and one of them is by closing down...ethnic churches...to create generic churches are are pushed out of the city. To hear John and Susan's conversation with David Franczyk, click on the audio link above.

In a statement, Bishop Edward Kmiec called the council statement "appalling, irresponsible and misinformed" and called it "disgraceful" to link church plans to "such an evil process". to hear more of what Diocesan spokesman Kevin Keenan had to say, click on the second audio link above.

http://www.wben.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=07813&vo=1

WBEN Poll of the Day
Are you offended by the proposed Buffalo Common Council resolution characterizing parish closings as a whiff of "ethnic cleansing"?
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