Rt. Rev. Percy Coffin says there are churches in his region that are in financial hardship, but none are in danger of closing.
The bishop of the Anglican diocese of western Newfoundland said he’s not blind to the monetary suffering of parishes in the diocese, but there aren’t any churches that are in the last-resort area of closure.
“Closing a church is an extreme measure,” Bishop Coffin said. “There are a few parishes that are financially stressed.
“That concern would be addressed in a context other than closure because there are various ways of resolving financial difficulties.”
He said the primary task of the diocese is to provide ministry and threatening to close a church if they don’t pay up is not the way the business of the diocese is done. He said there are a number of solutions for financial stress and closing a church is the last resort.