Franciscan friaries to close down

THE Franciscans (Friars Minor) are to withdraw from four parishes at Aldridge, Staffordshire: Ascot, Berkshire: Bristol and Liverpool and the friaries are to close.
This follows consultations with the bishops concerned after a decision by the last provincial Chapter to free friars from parish commitments for other apostolates, in conformity with the vocation of the Order. and which seem more necessary to the service of the Church in Britain.
The Province also has increasing commitments overseas including building the Order in South Africa. Many younger friars are particularly keen on foreign missionary work. This puts a further strain on parish manpower, already hampered by falling numbers. Last year there were only S5 priests compared with 120 in 1973. The Order runs 12 other parishes in England and Wales.
The Provincial of the Friars Minor, Fr Noel O'Dwyer has stressed the consciousness of he Order of its obligation to be fa hful to Franciscan poverty. i is requires that property should be readily relinquished when in he best interests of the Church.
But it was not intended to cause distress to benefactors in the parishes to be handed over.