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	A Battle with the Bishop By John T. Eberth Olean Times Herald May 31, 2008 http://www.oleantimesherald.com/articles/2008/05/31/news/doc4840a88ac8c19769625260.txt OLEAN - The Diocese of Buffalo announced Transfiguration Church of Olean and St. Helen's Church of Hinsdale will merge with Olean St. John's Church on July 5. They are among the last local churches to join as part of the diocese's Journey in Faith and Grace strategic plan launched by Bishop Edward U. Kmiec in June of 2005. Bishop Kmiec announced in June of 2007 that the three churches would become one. Members of Transfiguration Church have been fighting that decision since it was announced. Sue Fox, spokesperson for the Committee to Save Transfiguration Church, said the group has notified Bishop Kmiec they plan to appeal his decision to the Vatican. Mrs. Fox said the group has hired a lawyer that specializes in Catholic church law to draft their appeal. They hope to have the appeal finished within the coming days so it can be sent to the Vatican. "We're also doing a title search to determine if the properties truly belong to the Diocese of Buffalo," she said. "We're not throwing in the towel. Miracles do happen and we believe in miracles." Under the plan announced by the bishop, Transfiguration will become an oratory, a holy place available for special occasions such as weddings and funerals. Daily and weekly Masses would no longer be celebrated there. St. Helen's Church in Hinsdale will close permanently. In a statement e-mailed to the Olean Times Herald Friday, Bishop Kmiec said he knows members of Transfiguration Church are unhappy with the merger plan. "I am very concerned about the people. I know there has been a disruption in their lives and I pray for them," he said. "I pray for their understanding and acceptance of the decision to form a new faith community." Bishop Kmiec said he knows it will take time for people to accept the change. "This will take time, and people need time," he said. "Hopefully, as these parishes start functioning and have an opportunity for growth and maturity, our people will have a stronger faith experience." Mrs. Fox said she knows Bishop Kmiec has a job to do, she just doesn't accept that Transfiguration needs to close. Bishop Kmiec launched Journey in Faith to deal with a loss of clergy and parishioners. Transfiguration has 335 active families. "Our church is a smaller church, but it's financially stable," Mrs. Fox said. She said the diocese hasn't given her and the parishioners at Transfiguration a good, believable explanation as to why the church has to close. "I still don't see where the benefit is coming from," she said. Her children Grant, 8, and Rebecca, 9, recently celebrated their first Communion at Transfiguration Church. The same church where Mrs. Fox and her mother, Janet Kosinski Carll made their first Communions. "I feel completely blessed that they were both able to make their first Communions together in our church," she said. But she said the day was bittersweet, because she knows it may be the last time someone from her family celebrates first Communion in Transfiguration Church.
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