HOLYOKE (MA)
WWLP
Anthony Fay
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – A spokesperson for the Diocese of Springfield says that the Vatican has upheld a ruling that the Diocese was within its right to merge Holyoke’s Mater Dolorosa Parish . Further, the Vatican tribunal is telling those holding vigil inside the church that they must leave.
In a news release sent to 22News, diocesan spokesperson Mark Dupont said that the Superme Apostolic Signatura upheld the earlier ruling by the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy that the Diocese had the right to merge Mater Dolorosa. Citing concerns about debt and the structural integrity of the Maple Street church, the parish was merged in 2011 with Holy Cross Parish to form the new Our Lady of the Cross Parish. The Mater Dolorosa church building was closed, as Masses for that parish are held at the Holy Cross Church on Sycamore Street.
The merger angered some Mater Dolorosa parishioners, who appealed the decision to the Vatican, and have held protests at the church and outside diocesan headquarters in Springfield. Since the church closed, they have also been holding 24-hour vigil inside the building.
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