Businessman claims Friary closure was inevitable
A prominent Dundee businessman and leading member of St Francis Friary said the decision to shut its doors was an "economic reality."
The Friary.
Andi Lothian, founder of Insights Learning and Development and a parishioner of St Francis, said, "The decision to close the Friary is better expressed as Hobson's Choice — no choice at all.
"I have had close ties to the Friary since the late 1950s (when) as a pupil at Lawside Academy I was part of the congregation that attended the opening of the then 'new' St Francis," he said.
"I am saddened to have to leave, but I know that the closure of at least one of the five parishes in the west end of the city was inevitable.
"Most of the priests serving the church are of my era, and in a commercial environment would have retired to enjoy the fruits of their labours, but some have held on, committed to support their ministry.
"My expectation is that half of those now serving in the diocese will be unable to do so in less than 10 years. Other churches will have to close."
He added, "The Friary is not the property of the diocese, whereas the other four parishes are. Bishop Logan does not have the comfort of having an asset to sell which may ultimately recover some of the investment.
"This means that other diocesan services would be starved of the funds so committed to sustain the Friary if it were not to close.
"I will be sorry to miss my music sessions at the Friary's Sunday evening Mass. But the memories remain."
Add a comment