CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) -
Council of Parishes Attorney Peter Borre tells 19 Action News that the Vatican has overruled 13 parish closures in Cleveland.
"All Cleveland Catholic churches who appealed their closures have won," said Borre in a phone interview Wednesday.
The Diocese released the following statement Thursday morning:
"The Diocese of Cleveland is awaiting official word from the Vatican concerning any decrees. We first must see the official documents in order to review them and understand what exactly is being said; only then can a response be determined."
As the news spread, people began gathering outside the closed churches. "Oh, this is the best news, I couldn't have wished for anything more," said Micky Rinhart, Former St. James Parishioner.
The Vatican ruled that Bishop Richard Lennon failed to follow proper procedures. In 2010, Lennon closed or merged 50 churches. Only 13 are affected by this ruling because they appealed to the Vatican.
"It's kind of a Hallelujah day. I hope they open the church for Easter, that would be great."
Borre also notes that by Cannon Law, Catholics should now have immediate access to the 13 closed churches.
Peter Koran and his family attended St. James for 42 years until they closed it in June of 2010. Wednesday's news that it might reopen was like a gift from heaven. "Wow, something good has come here today," said Peter Koran.
"Thank you Lord, our prayers have been answered!" said a former parishioner.
The 13 Cleveland Catholic Diocese parishes who appealed their closures/merges are listed below:
•St. Adalbert Parish in Cleveland
•St. Barbara Parish in Cleveland
•St. Casimir Parish in Cleveland
•St. Emeric Parish in Cleveland
•St. James Parish in Lakewood
•St. John the Baptist Parish in Akron
•St. Margaret Mary Parish in South Euclid
•St. Martha Parish in Akron
•St. Mary Parish in Akron
•St. Mary Parish in Bedford
•St. Patrick Parish (West Park) in Cleveland
•St. Peter Parish in Cleveland
•St.
Wendelin Parish in Cleveland
ST. JAMES DECREE
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