The “really big news” from the Vatican this week is the Congregation for the Clergy’s reversal of Bishop Lennon’s Closing of 13 churches.  This was not a minor administrative correction; it is a real come-uppance for a Bishop’s ignoring direction from the Congregation.  The appeal didn’t even have to go to the Apostolic Signatura for the decision. 

The following has been amended since the original post:

Of course, Bishop Lennon can now appeal to the Signatura, but there is dancing in some Cleveland streets this week.  This appeal has been 3 years in process; so perhaps St. Thomas Apostle can still hope!

Here are some links to explore the media stories:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765557555/Lawyer-Vatican-overrules-13-Cleveland-closings.html

http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2012/03/08/news/doc4f57ec4e59741915905859.txt

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=13593

http://www.woio.com/story/17103699/attorney-vatican-overrules-13-cleveland-parish-closures

The last of the above links has the Decree with respect to the St. James parish.  Cleveland Diocese says it now has a copy of the Decree from the Congregation for the Clergy, but is making no comment until they study it.

Notice some of the hi-handed ways that churches were closed.  Kind of reminiscent of DoR’s approach.   Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a similar letter directed to the sites of pain in the Diocese of Rochester?  Let’s pray.

Tags: Bishop Clark, Church Closings, News and Media

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