HOLYOKE (MA)
WSHM
[with video]
HOLYOKE, MA (WSHM) –
Members of Mater Dolorosa gathered both inside and outside of the church Sunday afternoon.
They showed solidarity in ending their 24/7 vigil 20 days shy of a full year.
The decision followed a directive issued by the Vatican earlier this month that stated those who occupied the church must leave.
However, in the same announcement, the Vatican also said they will hear an appeal on the status of the church building, which helped make the decision easier for the parishioners.
“The Vatican is like our Supreme Court in the United States,” said church spokesman Vic Anop. “They need not take your case if they don’t think it is meritorious. It has to meet a threshold before it goes before the entire Supreme Court. We met that threshold with the information we sent to Rome.”
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