Churches Ask Bishop to Comply with Vatican Decree

By Deb Lee
newsnet5
March 16, 2012

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/cleveland_metro/churches-ask-bishop-to-comply-with-vatican-decree

[with video]

Three of the 13 Catholic churches whose closings were overruled by the Vatican are asking Bishop Richard Lennon for a swift resolution.

In a letter to the Bishop, St. Patrick, St. James, and St. Casimir Churches asked that as soon as possible:

"That all of the property and the use of all of the assets of the parish belonging to it prior to March, 2009, be given back;

That in accordance with canon 535 the records and the parochial seals be transferred to the parish seat;

That a new pastor be named in accordance with canon 519, to allow the carrying out of all those activities by virtue of which the parish has been indeed a " domus Dei;"

That the Pastoral Council and the Finance Council be restored with all of their functions;

That the church be reopened for ordinary worship;

And, more generally, that the status quo ante of March, 2009 be restored without any harm."

Bishop Lennon said he received the Vatican Decrees on Wednesday and will review them with his advisors.