The arrogance of demotic power

Boston city council is having a conniption over the Archdiocese's plans to close some parishes and schools. On one level, this is just desserts for the hierarchy's handling of the abuse scandal. On another, the state seems to be treading, not very softly, on ecclesiastical prerogatives to privacy and property. You can smell the stench of self-righteous sanctimony coming out of that council through the article.