Boston, USA - Boston Archbishop Sean O'Malley wants to move quickly with the next decisions on parish closings so he can turn his attention to other issues facing the church.
O'Malley told the Boston Globe that he thinks it's best to try and end the tension related to the closings and focus on the pastoral mission of the church.
The archbishop faces several decisions -- including whether to ask police to remove protesters from closed churches that the archdiocese believes should not be reopened.
O'Malley's advisers reportedly said the archbishop needs to make tough decisions soon because the year-long controversy over parish closings is damaging the archdiocese.
O'Malley said he has not abandoned the parish closings process. He says it's necessary to strengthen the archdiocese.