Vatican Tribunal Turns down Appeals from Closed Churches, WHDH, June 11, 2008

Vatican Tribunal Turns down Appeals from Closed Churches

WHDH
June 11, 2008

http://www2.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO80272/

BOSTON — The Vatican has refused to hear appeals from eight groups of parishioners trying to force the reopening of Catholic churches shut by the Boston Archdiocese.

A group of bishops and cardinals who sit on the Apostolic Signatura said in documents written in Latin and mailed to the parishioners that challenges to the closings are "clearly lacking any basis."

The local parishioners have decided to appeal to the full tribunal for reconsideration, even though they admit there is little chance of success. John Verrengia, who is leading efforts to reopen Our Lady of Lourdes church in Revere, admitted that prospects are "dim."

The letters, dated April 11 but not mailed until May 29, were also sent to advocates for parishes in Brookline, Framingham, Lynn, Quincy, Scituate, Sudbury, and Wellesley.