IN answer to the article in the World on March 4, which stated that parish priests have closed four churches in Widnes courtesy of our new archbishop, I would say ‘no, this decision has not brought us closer’.

Our eight churches worked together, now they are split into two. Those who have and those who have not.

Do the parishioners in the four unaffected churches really understand the pain and stress that this situation has put on the parish communities now bereft of love and caring?

We have been stripped of our identity.

Name and address supplied

Response from Fr Matthew Nunes, Catholic dean of Widnes:

RECENT changes to the Catholic parishes in Widnes means that this is a really painful time for many of us.

Though many parishioners see the need for necessary change, agreed by the Archbishop after years of discussion as heralding opportunity for new beginnings, others feel very hurt and struggle to see how they belong in this renewed parish community, now under the patronage of St Wilfrid.

It is a time for supporting, encouraging and reaching out to each other in faith.