Closure of Boston’s Holy Trinity Church delayed

BRIGHTON — The Archdiocese of Boston announced Dec. 14 that Holy Trinity Parish in Boston will not close on Dec. 15 as had been planned. The parish is home to the archdiocese’s German Catholic and traditional Latin Mass communities.

The statement did not specify a new closure date.

The Dec. 15 closure date was assigned last spring after Holy Trinity was granted an extension, according to the archdiocesan statement.

“Since that time, the archdiocese has been in communication with parishioners of Holy Trinity regarding their concerns and has also been in communication with Bridge Over Troubled Waters and the Medeiros Center, a program of Federated Dorchester Neighborhood Houses,” the statement said. “At this time, the archdiocese intends to pursue further communications with parishioners and representatives of the tenant agencies concerning future plans.”

Some members of Holy Trinity have sought a reversal of the decision to suppress the parish since it was originally named for closure in May 2004. They contend that it is the only place in the archdiocese where the Latin Mass is offered. They have also accused the archdiocese of being uncommunicative and staged a boycott of the archdiocesan communications collection in protest.

Throughout the process of reconfiguration, Archbishop O’Malley has reiterated his dedication to reviewing reconfiguration and dialoguing with parishioners. He has made several changes and appointed a Reconfiguration Review Committee. With advice from the committee, the archbishop has delayed and canceled the suppressions of many parishes.