Cleveland Catholics Call on Bishop Richard Lennon to Reopen Closed Churches

WTAM
April 8, 2012

http://www.wtam.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=122520&article=10010418


(Cleveland)- On this Easter, many Cleveland Catholics are calling on Bishop Richard Lennon to reopen closed churches.

Most realized that reopening the churches in time for Easter would be not be possible, but feel Lennon is dragging his feet in following the Vatican's order to restore the shuttered houses of worship.

In June 2008, Bishop Lennon announced plans to close at least 30 parishes in the cities of Cleveland, Lorain, and older parishes in Cleveland's inner ring suburbs. This plan drew ire from parishioners and members of Cleveland's city council members.

Critics have pointed out that several of the churches to be closed actually enjoyed steady, if limited, monthly incomes, and several of these churches, as well, have a politically liberal orientation.

However, a portion of these churches were also in need of repair, which was not always readily evident when examined from the outside.

In July 2011, the Vatican conducted a rare investigative apostolic visit of the Cleveland Diocese when the Reverend John M. Smith, a Bishop emeritus of the diocese of Trenton, New Jersey, spent several days interviewing people in the diocese.

In March of 2012, the Vatican ordered the reversal of the closings of the 13 of 50 churches that had pursued an appeal to the congregation for the clergy.