The Vatican decreed that 6 churches closed during parish consolidations 3 years ago should never have been closed. The Catholic Diocese of Allentown then appealed the Vatican decree. Now, the Diocese of Allentown has dropped its appeal.
The diocese has now given no indication of the fate of the 6 buildings, which former parishioners insist should be reopened according to church law. The churches in question are:
1. Mary, Queen of Peace, Pottsville;
2. St.Francis of Assisi, Minersville;
3. St. Joseph, Bethlehem;
4. St. Roch, West Bangor;
5. Immaculate Conception, St. Clair;
6. St. Michael, Tresckow.
The director of the St. Joseph Foundation, which advises Catholics on church closing appeals and other matters of canon law, said the decree clearly indicated the churches must remain open for worship. The churches however remain closed and the diocese interprets the decree differently than the parishioners.
==> Lehigh Valley Blog
No comments:
Post a Comment