By Bronislaus B. Kush, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

As the new spiritual head of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, Bishop Douglas J. Fisher pledged to immerse himself in the fight for social justice causes that affect the needy.

Bishop Fisher, who was ordained a prelate in December, said he eagerly wanted to rally his flock to advocate for issues such as real immigration reform, gun control, and food, health and other programs geared to help the less fortunate.

However, he didn't think that he'd be spending a chunk of his time, during his fledgling episcopate, battling developers interested in building gambling complexes around his diocese.

"I was neutral on the issue of gambling until all these proposals for casinos and slot parlors started coming forward," said the bishop in a recent interview with the Telegram & Gazette. "Looking into the matter further, I could see how these particular businesses could hurt our poor."

The topic particularly hit home for Bishop Fisher when an $800 million casino and hotel complex was proposed just a couple of blocks from Christ Church Cathedral on Chestnut Street in Springfield, a "vulnerable neighborhood" populated by unemployed and working class people.

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