Easter Commemoration Held outside Closed Church

By Sy Becker
The Wwlp
March 31, 2013

http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/hampden/easter-commemoration-held-outside-closed-church

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - Parishioners who want Holyoke's Mater Dolorosa Church to re-open, hope that Pope Francis will agree to overturn the decision that closed Mater Dolorosa two years ago.

Parishioners who now attend other churches held a commemoration of Easter Sunday morning on the street outside of the church.

The Vatican had ordered them to leave the building after their round the clock prayer vigils at the closed church.

Attorney Victor Anop, chairman of the Friends of Mater Dolorosa told 22News, their appeal to the Vatican Supreme Court is still pending.

“This is where our heritage is, we want to re-open our church, and the people are here to show our faith and they hope the church will re-open,” said attorney Victor Anop.

These parishioners conduct prayer services on the street near the church on most Fridays, and also maintain the church grounds.