Mater Dolorosa Church Vigil in Holyoke to End This Week

By Jeanette Deforge
The Republican
June 10, 2012

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/06/mater_dolorosa_church_vigil_in_1.html

Mater Dolorosa Church

HOLYOKE – Protesters have decided to comply with an order from the Vatican's highest court and end a round-the-clock prayer vigil at the Mater Dolorosa Church.

"We are starting our systematic withdrawal today," said Victor Anop, of Chicopee, an organizer for the vigil.

The group must remove some personal property people have brought in for over the past 12 months but they should be finished in a day or two. The members plan to notify the security officers for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield before they leave.

The vigil began on June 30, the last day of Mass at the church, in protest of Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell's orders to close the church and merge it with the Holy Cross Parish. The new parish, named our Lady of the Cross, is worshipping at the old Holy Cross Church.

"We are cautiously optimistic at news out of Holyoke today that those occupying the Mater Dolorosa Church may be preparing to follow the recent Vatican directive and end their vigil," said Mark E. Dupont, spokesman for the diocese.

Officials said they will delay any more comment until they receive official word from the protesters.

Members of the Mater Dolorosa Church appealed the closing to the Vatican. When the lower court, the Congregation of the Clergy, upheld McDonnell's decision they appealed to the Apostolic Signatura, which is the Vatican's supreme court.

In a preliminary ruling released on Monday, the Signatura agreed to hear the case but also placed two requirements on it.

It asked protesters to leave the church and ordered the bishop from refraining from destroying or selling the church and keeping it in good condition.

Anop said the decision was a difficult one especially because members are concerned McDonnell will order the steeple of the church removed.

The steeple has been a source of contention. Diocesan officials say engineering reports show it is structurally unsound and dangerous. Protesters hired their own engineer however who deemed the steeple safe. The issue has also gone to Springfield courts where the judge ruled there was no imminent danger in the structure but refused to take up the full issue of the protesters trespassing citing separation of church and state.

"I think the people have been so dedicated to the vigil inside the church," Anop said. "They are doing it in the belief and trust they will not sell and destroy the church."

Prayer vigil members agreed it was important to abide by the Apostolic Signatura's order. The group voted on Thursday to leave the church but waited until Sunday to announce the decision.

"The supreme court does not have to entertain your appeal. It is huge to overcome that barrier," Anop said. "It means they found probable cause and we have a meritorious case."

As far as protecting the steeple, the City of Holyoke recently ordered the Diocese to either remove the scaffolding that protects the sidewalk in front of the church or renew a permit to allow it.

Anop said the members said the Diocese will have to file for permits if officials wish to remove the steeple so the protesters will be able to have their say to protect it them.