Thursday, April 18, 2013
Episcopal bishop joins other clergy in opposing Worcester slots parlor
WORCESTER — The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, which includes Worcester and surrounding communities, said today that he is against the proposal to locate at $200 million slots parlor on the former Wyman-Gordon Co. parcel in Green Island.
"For those who have little, the illusory chance that they can gain much, even in a game stacked against them, is tempting and ultimately destructive," said Bishop Douglas J. Fisher. "Our churches stand with the economically poor of our society, and that always means taking a stand against gambling establishments in our cities."
Bishop Fisher is the latest prominent church leader to take a stand against the proposal.
Neil G. Bluhm, a Chicago billionaire who has built a number of gambling establishments across the country, wants to construct a complex featuring slots on a 14-acre parcel off Madison Street and near Kelley Square. The facility would be built in conjunction with a marquee hotel somewhere downtown..
Bishop Fisher said his opposition is in line with a resolution opposing casino gambling, which was approved by clergy and delegates attending the diocese's 111th annual meeting, which was held last October in Springfield.
"At our annual convention, the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts voted unanimously to oppose casino gambling," said Bishop Fisher. "I will apply the same logic to the installation of slot machines in Worcester— the enticement of gambling preys on the most economically vulnerable among us."
As part of the resolution last fall, Episcopal church leaders promised to undertake efforts to educate the public about the negative impact gambling establishments would have in the communities that they would be located in.
Convention delegates also noted that certain groups in society would be particularly "vulnerable" to betting establishments, including senior citizens, the poor, and individuals addicted to gambling.
The resolution read, in part, that "every congregation in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts will undertake a period of study, prayer, and conversation around the issue of casino gambling in the light of our Christian faith."
A number of Worcester area church leaders have also voiced concerns about Mr. Bluhm's plan.
For example, Bishop Robert J. McManus, Worcester's Roman Catholic prelate, said today that faith-based and nonprofit organizations have "a right and duty" to speak out against the proposal, and he urged city leaders not to allow slot parlors.
He said people have a right to make their own decisions regarding legal gambling, but noted that they have to consider the impact on "family, friends, and our community."
"Moreover, although both rich and poor have an equal right to gamble, the burden on their personal economics is not equitable, as lower income gamblers will often spend a larger percentage of their income on gambling and on the associated taxes," Bishop McManus said.
He added that the community doesn't have the resources to deal with the negative aspects of gambling.
Bishop McManus said the pending social problems will be particularly acute, given that the slot parlor would be located in one of Worcester's poorer neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, clergymen, especially those from congregations in the inner city, are organizing grass-roots opposition to the plan.
For example, Monsignor Francis J. Scollen of St. Peter's Catholic Parish on Main Street has urged his parishioners to attend the meetings that have been held about the proposal.
"As a parish that ministers directly to those struggling with poverty and addiction, and, as Roman Catholics who must actively love 'the least of these,' all parishioners are urged to contact the City Council and attend the meetings to speak to the detrimental impact that this will have on the city of Worcester," wrote Msgr. Scollen in a parish bulletin.
Meanwhile, Rev. John F. Madden, the pastor of St. John's Catholic Parish on Temple Street, has told his parishioners that gambling is linked to alcoholism, drug abuse, prostitution, suicide, child and spousal abuse, and personal bankruptcy.
"Casinos have a well-documented cannibalistic effect on small businesses in their host communities, pulling business away from them and into the casinos, thus further tearing apart the fabric of our community," Rev. Madden wrote to his parishioners.
"For those who have little, the illusory chance that they can gain much, even in a game stacked against them, is tempting and ultimately destructive," said Bishop Douglas J. Fisher. "Our churches stand with the economically poor of our society, and that always means taking a stand against gambling establishments in our cities."
Bishop Fisher is the latest prominent church leader to take a stand against the proposal.
Neil G. Bluhm, a Chicago billionaire who has built a number of gambling establishments across the country, wants to construct a complex featuring slots on a 14-acre parcel off Madison Street and near Kelley Square. The facility would be built in conjunction with a marquee hotel somewhere downtown..
Bishop Fisher said his opposition is in line with a resolution opposing casino gambling, which was approved by clergy and delegates attending the diocese's 111th annual meeting, which was held last October in Springfield.
"At our annual convention, the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts voted unanimously to oppose casino gambling," said Bishop Fisher. "I will apply the same logic to the installation of slot machines in Worcester— the enticement of gambling preys on the most economically vulnerable among us."
As part of the resolution last fall, Episcopal church leaders promised to undertake efforts to educate the public about the negative impact gambling establishments would have in the communities that they would be located in.
Convention delegates also noted that certain groups in society would be particularly "vulnerable" to betting establishments, including senior citizens, the poor, and individuals addicted to gambling.
The resolution read, in part, that "every congregation in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts will undertake a period of study, prayer, and conversation around the issue of casino gambling in the light of our Christian faith."
A number of Worcester area church leaders have also voiced concerns about Mr. Bluhm's plan.
For example, Bishop Robert J. McManus, Worcester's Roman Catholic prelate, said today that faith-based and nonprofit organizations have "a right and duty" to speak out against the proposal, and he urged city leaders not to allow slot parlors.
He said people have a right to make their own decisions regarding legal gambling, but noted that they have to consider the impact on "family, friends, and our community."
"Moreover, although both rich and poor have an equal right to gamble, the burden on their personal economics is not equitable, as lower income gamblers will often spend a larger percentage of their income on gambling and on the associated taxes," Bishop McManus said.
He added that the community doesn't have the resources to deal with the negative aspects of gambling.
Bishop McManus said the pending social problems will be particularly acute, given that the slot parlor would be located in one of Worcester's poorer neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, clergymen, especially those from congregations in the inner city, are organizing grass-roots opposition to the plan.
For example, Monsignor Francis J. Scollen of St. Peter's Catholic Parish on Main Street has urged his parishioners to attend the meetings that have been held about the proposal.
"As a parish that ministers directly to those struggling with poverty and addiction, and, as Roman Catholics who must actively love 'the least of these,' all parishioners are urged to contact the City Council and attend the meetings to speak to the detrimental impact that this will have on the city of Worcester," wrote Msgr. Scollen in a parish bulletin.
Meanwhile, Rev. John F. Madden, the pastor of St. John's Catholic Parish on Temple Street, has told his parishioners that gambling is linked to alcoholism, drug abuse, prostitution, suicide, child and spousal abuse, and personal bankruptcy.
"Casinos have a well-documented cannibalistic effect on small businesses in their host communities, pulling business away from them and into the casinos, thus further tearing apart the fabric of our community," Rev. Madden wrote to his parishioners.
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