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	Vatican Court Upholds Closing of Three Springfield Diocese Parishes iobserve November 11, 2011 http://www.iobserve.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=1263&cntnt01origid=57&cntnt01returnid=58 The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield has been informed that the Vatican’s Apostolic Signatura has upheld the decision to suppress and close the parishes of St. George and St. Patrick in Chicopee and St. Stanislaus in Adams. The Apostolic Signatura is defined in the Catholic News Service Stylebook on Religion as “the church’s supreme court” which “deals primarily with questions of the procedures and jurisdiction of the other courts.” According to a Nov. 10 press release disseminated by the diocese, the upholding of the parish closings “is a definitive finding which supports the actions of the diocese thus removing any possibility for their restoration as parishes.” In the same action, the press release states, the Signatura did indicate that the diocese had not yet provided sufficient cause to reduce the churches in question to “profane” or nonreligious uses. This secondary finding does not require that these church buildings be reopened, and does not mandate that they be restored as regular worship sites, since the parishes they were assigned to no longer exist. According to the diocesan release, “This action simply means they cannot be actively used for any non-religious purpose. It allows for no use, or a wide range on other non-worship religious uses.” The finding of the Signatura will be reviewed by diocesan canon lawyers, the release states, and “discussions will take place with each of the successor parishes and their legitimate consultative bodies as to their recommendations on proceeding.” The press release also states: “The diocese intends to pursue this matter following the suggestions given by the Signatura and other options as provided in canon law. The concern of the diocese remains with regard to the resources needed to keep these and other facilities open. Even limited use might pose a tremendous financial strain on the successor parishes.” Future actions by the diocese may include using the clarification now provided by the Signatura to issue a decree stating “the need to reduce the status of the church buildings or alternative uses as permitted.” In layperson’s terms, the decision of the Signatura means that the parishes named no longer exist but the church buildings “are still considered sacred sites,” according to Msgr. John J. Bonzagni, director of the Springfield Diocese’s Office of Pastoral Planning. Although the buildings cannot be sold or put to a nonreligious use, he said, they can be left empty or used for another sacred purpose, such as a mausoleum. The recent decision also means “this is not over yet,” said Msgr. Bonzagni, who holds a degree in canon law, and, as noted in the press release, the diocese is pursuing additional canonical options.
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