Bishop Richard Lennon says he will reopen 12 churches that won Vatican appeal

[lak611]

From Cleveland.com:

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Bishop Richard Lennon this morning announced that he will reopen 12 churches whose closings were reversed by the Vatican last month.

The 12 parishes had filed appeals with the Vatican after Lennon, between 2009 and 2010, closed 50 churches in the eight-county diocese, citing changes in demographics and shortages of priests and cash.

Originally, reports indicated that there were 13 churches that had won appeals. But Lennon said this morning that only 12 had appealed.

Lennon said that he had decided not to appeal the Vatican rulings, adding that “it is time for peace and unity in the Diocese of Cleveland.”

The 12 churches had appealed to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy, arguing they were vibrant, self-sustaining parishes that should not be closed. The panel ruled that he did not follow church laws and procedures when he closed the churches.

The churches have been standing empty since their closings. The diocese, which has sold a number of closed churches, could not, under church law, sell a church or its contents while it was under appeal.

Lennon received official word of the Vatican decrees on March 14 and had 60 days to decide whether to appeal to the Apostolic Signatura, the Vatican’s supreme court.

He said he decided not to appeal after consulting with clergy, laity and experts in church law.

Lennon said the churches that appealed were St. Adalbert, St. Barbara, St. Casimir, St. Emeric, St. Peter, St. Patrick (West Park) and St. Wendelin, all in Cleveland; St. James in Lakewood; St. Mary in Bedford; St. Mary in Lorain; and St. John the Baptist and St. Mary, all in Akron.

 

[YoungTradCath]

While he probably feels compelled to, I wonder if this is economically feasible for the diocese.

 

[ZoeyBdo]

While he probably feels compelled to, I wonder if this is economically feasible for the diocese.

My church is one of those churches! It was operating in the black with a parish of 1400 families. All monies from the churches that were appealed are untouched and were held pending the results. As Bishop Lennon stated, they will still be expected to operate as all other churches operate, they have the money to do that.

This is such a great day!!! I can once again walk to church instead of driving!