The Roman Catholic archdiocese of Philadelphia recently has partially closed the parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania. This parish has for over a century served the religious needs of the Italian Catholic population of that city. The merging of Mount Carmel in another parish is a great injustice towards both the Italian American population of Bridgeport, as well as the city itself which has been enriched by this church and it's annual, patronal feast which has occurred every July for over 100 years. We ask the archdiocese of Philadelphia and it's archbishop, Charles J Chaput to respect the rights of the Italian American community for its place of worship as well a center for its cultural preservation by IMMEDIATELY reopened Our Lady of Mount Carmel church for full time masses and ministry to the Italian American community of Bridgeport.