Cleveland: Letter Takes Bishop Lennon to Task

By Eric Mansfield
WKYC
March 9, 2012

http://www.wkyc.com/news/article/234758/3/Cleveland-Diocese-letter-takes-Bishop-Lennon-to-task

- A letter from the Vatican to Bishop Richard Lennon seems to spell out mistakes the Church feels the Bishop made in closing a local parish.

The three-page letter -- obtained by Channel 3 -- upholds the appeal of St. Patrick Church, which was forced to close along with dozens of other parishes between 2009 and 2010.

In the letter, the Vatican find the Cleveland Diocese did not validate its case for closure writing "The Bishop of Cleveland, even after being advised of these shortfalls by the Congregation's letter ... declined to clarify the matter either by allowing the Church to remain open for divine worship and the devotion of the faithful, or by following the procedure for relegation."

A spokesman for the Diocese said local leaders have not yet received written notification to take any steps towards re-opening St. Patrick or any other closed parishes.