Call to save churches

4:30pm Thursday 26th July 2007

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Parishioners in Preston have joined forces in the fight to keep the city's Roman Catholic churches open.

Churchgoers are meeting at St Walburge's this Friday to form an action plan.

Councillor Margaret McManus is spearheading the campaign. She condemned the proposals by the Lancaster Diocese, which could see 10 Preston churches close over the next decade.

The councillor, who represents Sharoe Green, has attended St Walburge's Church, Pedder Street, Ashton, for 30 years.

She said: "St Walburge's is the gem of the churches in Preston and we should be thinking about giving it cathedral status rather than closing it.

"It's a sin to close any church, this is our heritage. The people of Preston built and paid for these churches.

"It isn't our fault that the diocese hasn't used their funds efficiently enough."

Ten churches in Preston - but none in South Ribble - look set to be sold off due to falling attendances and increasing maintenance costs as part of the diocese's Fit For Mission review.

Mrs Aideen Frediani, of Watery Lane, Ashton, has been a parishioner at St Walburge's for 35 years. She is concerned about the fate of the churches once they have been sold.

"I do understand the decision, because if you don't use it, you lose it. If you haven't got any parishioners, then you can't really justify keeping these places open.

"The thing which concerns me most is what will happen to these buildings once we have gone, what will they be changed into?"

Canon Aidan Turner, who is heading the review revealed last week, that many of the churches could not be razed due to their listed building status, however some could be used by other religious groups as prayer centres or may become community centres.

Mrs Irene Short, 77, who attends St Maria Goretti's in Ribbleton, another church earmarked for closure, is very concerned.

The former Lancashire county councillor, who has attended services at the church for over 40 years, added: "We need to know how far the consultation will go and whether it will consider the elderly people who attend the parishes as they are the ones that will be effected most."

Parishioners have until October 15 to respond to the proposals, through deanery pastoral councils and parishes.