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Closed churches can transfer funds

BOSTON, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- The Vatican's Congregation for the Clergy has ruled that funds from seven closing Boston-area churches can be transferred to parishes that take their flocks.

The Boston Herald reports the ruling undercuts the Boston archdiocese's plan to use money from closed parishes to shore up its own finances.

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The Rev. Bryan Hehir told the newspaper the effect will be to widen the gap between rich and poor parishes.

Parishioners from 15 churches appealed closings to the Vatican. Those not affected by the ruling are ethnic and other non-geographic parishes.

The clergy sex abuse scandal, which began in Boston, the reconfiguration and the archdiocese's refusal to open its books has angered many Boston-area Catholics.

David Castaldi, a former chancellor of the archdiocese, said using the money from closed parishes for the "wider church" would be appropriate.

"But unless and until the archdiocese makes a complete financial disclosure, it will not be able to restore the trust and credibility it needs," he said.

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