Editorial: Thumbs up, thumbs down

Peace Abbey is staying. It is terrific news that the Peace Abbey has finally taken down its “for sale” sign. While technically, the Abbey is still on the market, founder Lewis Randa has said he is no longer actively looking for a buyer and that the Abbey will do what it can to stay in Sherborn. We urge everyone who can to become one of the 400 lenders the Abbey is seeking, each of whom would lend it $1,000 to purchase a share of the mortgage and help lift it out of its financial crisis. It’s reassuring, though, to hear Randa say that even if the money doesn’t flow in as hoped that the Abbey will continue paying interest rather than leave town. It would have been devastating to see the Abbey leave the town where it has so many years of history. Sherborn would never have been the same without it.

Peace Abbey’s financial struggles continue. The Peace Abbey has always been opposed to fundraising philosophically, which may in part have contributed to its recent difficulties with money. It is nevertheless a little bit hard to believe that the Abbey, after all these months, is still struggling as much as it is. Even if the Abbey hasn’t been fundraising, there’s been a great deal of publicity surrounding its recent plight and possible move out of town. We know how much the Abbey means not only to area residents, but to folks around the state and around the world. That’s why it’s disappointing that more people haven’t come forth to help and that the Abbey never found the “guardian angel” it was looking for to purchase it, but nevertheless allow it to continue functioning as the Peace Abbey. Hopefully, the Abbey’s new financial program, which asks a mere $1,000 from each of around 400 lenders, will prove more successful. We hope for the best