BishopAccountability.org
	The Final Mass Is Held at St. Procop in Cleveland: 'A Day of Sadness, a Day of Anger for Some' By Michael O’Malley Plain Dealer August 31, 2009 http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/08/the_final_mass_is_held_at_st_p.html Catholics from across Greater Cleveland packed St. Procop Catholic Church on Cleveland's near West Side Sunday to mourn the death of a parish founded 137 years ago. Mark Holan, left, of Cleveland, comforts his daughter, Annie, 9, as the two were standing at the altar after the final Mass at St. Procop Church Sunday. The church closed its doors for the final time after the morning service. Photo by Gus Chan On a gloomy, rainy day, worshippers streamed into the giant, 110-year-old sandstone edifice on West 41st Street for the final Mass said by Bishop Richard Lennon, who ordered the church closed earlier this year. Lennon, who is closing 50 parishes across the Cleveland Catholic Diocese, came to St. Procop's under police security, ignoring about 40 protesters who stood outside holding signs. Inside, a standing-room-only crowd filled pews, side aisles, the vestibule and the choir loft. Many clutched tissues to wipe away tears. "Today is a special day, a day of sadness, a day of wonderment and a day of anger for some," Lennon said in his sermon. "This is a story of God and men and women working together for over a century. May we rely on God in these days of darkness and sadness." A choir, accompanied by organ, trumpets, guitars and drums, filled the majestic Byzantine Romanesque structure, rich in sacred art, stained-glass windows and glorious ceiling medallions. The old church, with paint peeling from its walls and ceiling, hadn't seen such liveliness in decades. "It's sad," said Gil Bachna of Fairview Park, who was baptized in the church 72 years ago. "But it just doesn't have the people. Not as many Catholics go to church like they used to." Lennon, who has cited shortages of priests and a drop in collection-basket cash as reasons for closing parishes, has targeted mostly inner-city churches. Most of the 750,000 Catholics in the eight-county diocese live in the suburbs. St. Procop's, once a bustling parish filled with Czechs who lived in the neighborhood, was down to about 370 parishioners. In recent years, it didn't have a full-time priest. It was run by Sister Annette Amendolia, who on Sunday introduced former St. Procop's pastors to standing ovations. Following the Mass, worshippers streamed into a parish social hall for food and memories. Lennon did not attend. During the service, uniformed Cleveland police officers watched over the bishop. One followed him down the main aisle during the final procession. Then, flanked by officers, Lennon left the church and walked in the rain through a back parking lot, ignoring the protest signs -- "Dis-Membering in Process," "This is Not God's Plan," "Keep Our Church Open." Protesters Marta Fordos of Fairview Park and Hanna Gereby of Cleveland ran after Lennon, catching up to him. "I'm sorry you have to ruin our churches," snapped Fordos. "Judas!" Lennon, his eyes downcast, did not respond, continuing his wet march toward his car. Members of the group Endangered Catholics protest outside of St. Procop Church before the final Mass on Sunday, Photo by Gus Chan     Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.