Vatican rules against New York diocese in parish closure
May 25, 2011
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Following an appeal from parishioners and heeding recent precedent, the Vatican has ruled that the Diocese of Syracuse should not deconsecrate a closed parish church but must instead maintain it as a worship site. Following the 2007 closing of the parish, laity maintained a year-long vigil until they were escorted out by a sheriff’s department officer.
The decision “may mean the people could be given access to the church, but it may not mean it will be assigned a priest,” said Matthew Loveland, a sociology professor at LeMoyne College, in reference to St. Mary’s Church in Jamesville, New York. “It’s still very symbolic, as the church has had a lock on the door.”
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Further information:
- St. Mary parishioners' prayers answered: Vatican says Jamesville Church shouldn't be closed (Syracuse Post-Standard)
- St. Mary’s, Jamesville
- Pennsylvania diocese drops appeal of Vatican ruling on closed parishes (CWN, 5/6)
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