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  Diocese Is Irked by Listing

By Jennifer Huberdeau
Berkshire Eagle
July 17, 2010

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_15536662?source=email

ADAMS -- The inclusion of Saint Stanislaus Kostka Church on the recently released "1,000 Great Places in Massachusetts" list has raised the ire of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, which wants it removed immediately.

"Interestingly enough, for something the Commonwealth seemingly worked so hard on, we were not even consulted prior to the inclusion of this closed church on the official state listing," diocesan spokesman Mark E. Dupont said in a statement Friday. "Our churches though beautiful are not built to be tourist attractions but rather Houses of Worship."

He added, "Sadly, in recent years, we have had to consolidate a number of parishes and beautiful churches across western Massachusetts, including in Adams, all done - no doubt with great pain and difficulty -- but ultimately for the collective good of the entire Catholic community. Those responsible need to issue an immediate correction so as not to mislead anyone."

Although the list includes numerous other churches and shrines in the state, every one of them but Saint Stanislaus has set hours for self-guided or guided tours. Many also have gift shops and ticket prices.

The list also states that all of the venues are open to public.

Calls to the commission's chairman, Eric Turkington, and to the state tourism office were not returned on Friday.

The Diocese closed the church in December 2008, along with Saint Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church, as part of an on-going consolidation effort throughout its parishes in Western Massachusetts. A group of former parishioners has appealed the decision to the Collegium of the Apostolic Signatura, the Vatican's highest court.

As part of the appeal, vigil members have sat in shifts at the church for 568 days, allowing visitors to tour the building -- providing pamphlets about its historic stained-glass windows and other artifacts, such as the "Black Madonna" that was brought over from Poland.

Local historian and parishioner Eugene Michalenko said the church has historically entertained tour groups.

"They've always been allowed," he said Friday.

The list of "1,000 Greatest Places in Massachusetts," which was released on Monday by the Massachusetts Office of Tourism and Travel, was compiled by a commission signed into legislation by Gov. Deval Patrick at the beginning of the year. The list, which was culled from 12,000 nominations, is meant to promote known and unknown venues of historic and cultural significance along with the state's natural beauty.

 
 

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