Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - "Unfortunately, this entire process in my mind has been very unchristianlike. It's pitting one church against another. It almost feels like the movie Hunger Games, where someone has to go," said Nandor Forgach, a concerned parishioner at St. Benedict's Church in Eggertsville.
He is among members of his parish fighting plans by the Buffalo Diocese to merge or close his church and more than 70 other worship sites this fall.
Forgach told WBEN he was blindsided when he first learned that the church was targeted for closure. "We were all shocked," he said. "No one was expecting this so we decided to fight it."
Monday, Aug. 5 is the deadline for churches to submit counter proposals for merging or closing.
Just how does a parish go about convincing the Diocese that they have a better plan?
"We just have to show them the data that we have, from our youth ministry to different outreach programs and highlight what we're doing to maintain and grow our community."
Forgach says he remains optimistic.
"Knowing what we know about our church, we are confident that we should stay open. Not only do we have a vibrant community, but we have up to 450 kids signed up at St. Benedict's School and the energy of our community is undeniable. It's going to come down to whether downtown will listen to us with open ears, or whether we're just going through the motions," he added.
The Buffalo Diocese is expected to make final decisions on closures Sept. 1, with mergers beginning in October.
