Bishop Lennon Will Not Appeal Vatican Decree, Churches to Reopen

Fox 8
April 17, 2012

http://fox8.com/2012/04/17/bishop-lennon-will-not-appeal-vatican-decree-churches-to-reopen/


The head of the Cleveland Catholic Diocese, Bishop Richard Lennon, announced on Tuesday that he is not appealing a decree issued by the Vatican that reopened 12 area parishes closed in 2009 and 2010 as part of a consolidation plan.

Lennon had the chance to appeal to the Catholic Apostolic Signatura, but ultimately chose not to.

At a press conference Lennon declared that, “It’s time for peace and unity in the Diocese of Cleveland.”

Lennon stated that the appeal process would have been painstaking.

“[An appeal] would prolong the process a number of years and would create more uncertainty and continue to divide our Catholic family,” said Lennon.

The ruling to reopen the churches was handed down by the Congregation of the Clergy in late February.

The following churches will reopen:

- Saint Adalbert, Cleveland

- Saint Barbara, Cleveland

- Saint Casimir, Cleveland

- Saint Emeric, Cleveland

- Saint Patrick, Cleveland

- Historic Saint Peter, Cleveland

- Saint Wendelin, Cleveland

- Saint James, Lakewood

- Saint Mary, Bedford

- Saint John the Baptist, Akron

- Saint Martha, Akron (wants to retain name only and not reopen)

- Saint Mary, Akron

- Saint Mary, Lorain

Lennon said he came to the decision over the Easter holiday while praying.

According to Lennon, some priests might be asked to do two jobs and the Diocese will work hand-in-hand with the churches to staff the buildings.

“More than ever, this is a time for all Catholics to come together with God’s help and strive to strengthen our diocesan church’s serving the pastoral needs of all the Faithful,” said Lennon.

- Read a Statement from the Cleveland Catholic Diocese on the Decision Not to Appeal the Vatican’s Ruling

In March of 2009 Lennon announced that 52 parishes would be closed or merged.

The drastic step, according to Lennon, was taken because of a large decline in parishioners and a shortage of priests.

Lennon opened Tuesday’s press conference by providing statistics from the Diocese that showed a drastic decline in parishioners.

According to Lennon, in 2000, approximately 19,000 Catholic churches operated in the United States. By 2010 that number had been reduced to 17,800.