Friday, March 04, 2011

3 Mass. churches should reopen, Vatican rules

Friday, March 04, 2011
CHICOPEE, Massachusetts (AP) - the Vatican has ruled that three Western Massachusetts churches that should be closed by the Diocese of Springfield reopen including one that is occupied in protest for two years, community members learned Tuesday.The Vatican Congregation for the clergy decided that Bishop Timothy McDonnell justify not close churches, St. Patrick and St. George St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Adams or two Chicopee. That is again open the churches for worship, although to what extent you used can be unclear.Laurie Haas, one of the leaders of the vigil on the St. Stanislaus Kostka, the decision called "monumental." "Everyone here said in Adams joy and full of joy!"Haas, whose Church by community members around the clock since December 2008.With similar decisions on churches in the Diocese of Allentown Pennsylvania, who is a Massachusetts decisions new policy which signal Vatican, it harder is settled for local bishops could close and sell Church, said Peter Borre Council of communities, a group formed to battle the Church closings."Keeping open churches is also to a limited extent, important because you important evangelical mission of the Church remains where it said Borre otherwise, may be lost.""The most important element in the job description of the Bishop is the salvation of souls," said Borre. "And you can reach by the presence of the Catholic Church in a diocese to destroy.""The Diocese of Springfield, the Vatican's High Court appeal can, and there is much to say about how the three churches to - imaginable use for opportunities as frequently as regular mass a more sporadic opened place to pray."This is not mission met, "said Borre.Ein Diocesan spokesman said he would not comment until closely inspected the Vatican judgments."In recent years the Catholic dioceses around the country have dozens of parishes, citing falling presence, a lack of priests and financial burden closed. In Boston, for example, five churches was occupied since 2004 began and today reduced the number of parishes of 357 on 291 wide reconfiguration.Congregation for the clergy decisions dated January, distinguishes between Roman Catholic parishes - the territorial units belonging to all Catholic building in you as parish offices, schools and Konferenzraume-and the main church building within those communities.In their appeal argued parishioners of Bishop standards under Canon law for those churches shut down and did not conform to the conversion of the Saints in secular use. The Vatican has agreed, McDonnell not provided, the "necessary grave motivations" for the closing of churches to say.Borre said similar complaints are outstanding in the Vatican from other regions, for example in Cleveland and seven Boston-area Kirchen.In of the Church St. Patrick on Tuesday before the door was locked, but a door opened the brick church's cool, well-maintained interiors. Scattered characters, including one that to read "Save save St of Patrick's - souls," made pleas for money and support in the fight to keep open the parish.The decision was not a complete victory in all three cases - the Vatican confirmed McDonnell's decision to close the larger communities. St. Patrick parishioner Margaret page is hope the St. Patrick parish, which said 2009 closed is open one day again. But added she, "I am very happy, we have a positive decision."Rachel Bradford was a lifelong parishioner at St. George before it closed in 2009, and went to the Church for weekly services to the entire College law school, and even, after moved to Northern Connecticut. "Bradford, 28, said although the future of the St. George was unclear, she was happy, there was one.""Partial victory is it", she said", and we take it for now."--Lindsay reported from Boston.

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