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	Diocese Responds to Angry Churchgoers By Ryan Walsh WWLP June 29, 2011 http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/hampden/diocese-responds-to-angry-churchgoers [with video] HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - Angry and frustrated. Parishioners protested their churches closing on Sunday. The Mater Dolorosa Church in Holyoke held it's final Sunday Mass. This is when things became heat. Dozens of loyal churchgoers wanted to let Springfield Bishop Timothy McDonnell they are still upset about it. "Save our Church, Save our Church, Save our Church", a group of parishioners chanted as the Bishop tried to make his way inside the church. "The Bishop is here to celebrate, even though he's the one that decided to close the church", says Parishioner Peter Stasz. The church was calling it a celebration with the Bishop. Churchgoers were calling it a funeral for a church that has stood in Holyoke and in the Polish Community for more than 115 years. "All of a sudden, two months ago he said we're closing and that is it. He never met with us face to face", says Halina Sulewski who has been a parishioner at Mater Dolorosa for 50 years. Angry parishioners wanted answers. Springfield Diocese spokesman Mark DuPont told 22News the Bishop would not be available for an interview because talking anymore about this closing would only alienate more people. "They have pleaded to hear the Bishop's case, but when the Bishop came to Church yesterday (Sunday), he was blocked from entering it initially", says DuPont. "Is their a reason without that blockade that the Bishop wouldn't want to talk to us (22News) to get his views and get everything out there", asked 22News reporter Ryan Walsh. Dupont responded, "His views are out there, we've discussed it. Further dialogue as we discussed it, is only going to further aggravate people. I will tell you I've been to many closings and I've never been accosted like I was yesterday (Sunday)." DuPont told 22News that since this churches debt was forgiven 11 years ago, the church has built up another $750,000 dollars in debt. Some parishioners told 22News they have appealed to the Vatican to keep it open, but may not get that answer for three years.
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