By Robert Rizzuto
The Republican
October 10, 2011
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/10/catholic_diocese_of_springfiel_2.html
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| 07.18.2011 | HOLYOKE - Andrew Pavlica, president of West Springfield-based Engineering Design Associates, gestures during a tour of the steeple at Mater Dolorosa Church. |
After more than 100 days of vigil inside the closed Mater Dolorosa church in Holyoke, the parishioners who have been occupying it were sued by the Catholic Diocese of Springfield this week in an attempt to get them to vacate the building.
"We had hoped that through their prayerful vigil, the very rapid rejection of their Vatican appeal, and two separate and independent findings on the deterioration of the steeple, they would have come to accept these most difficult but equally necessary decisions," said Mark E. Dupont, the diocesan spokesman. "Not only is their presence without permission or authorization, it also prevents the very necessary work of addressing the safety of the steeple."
Among other disagreements, one primary point of impasse centers on the structural stability of the building.
A structural analysis conducted by a firm hired by the diocese showed the steeple was in danger of collapsing. However, a structural analysis conducted by a company hired by the protesters showed that damage was only minor.
Both groups have completely rejected reports from the other side.
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| Holyoke, 6/26/11, Staff Photo by David Molnar -- At the end of the last mass at the Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church, during the recessional outside a sun halo or nimbus, an optical phenomenon caused by ice crystals in the appeared in the sky above the church's steeple. The church is closing, according to the Diocese of Springfield because the steeple was deemed structually unsafe. |
The Most Rev. Timothy A. McDonnell, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, ruled that both Mater Dolorosa and Holy Cross churches in Holyoke should close and create one new parish. Our Lady of The Cross opened in the former Holy Cross building on Sycamore Street in Holyoke in July.
In addition to concern about the condition of Mater Dolorosa's steeple, the diocese cited the diminishing number of Catholics in Holyoke as another reason for closing the church.
On Sept. 19, the Vatican upheld the decision to close Mater Dolorosa, but parishioners filed an appeal on Sept. 29, questioning the whole situation.
"The decision at the Vatican is made in secret. But since the diocese has decided to take us to court, there are things that will come out into the open through the process," said attorney Victor Anop, a spokesman for the Friends of Mater Dolorosa. "Everybody here is saddened and shocked that the bishop would interrupt a prayer vigil like this. It's unheard of. We can't believe our own people in Christ would treat us this way."
Dupont said the diocese has tried other avenues with the group, but they have failed to reach an agreement.
"This action was undertaken with heavy heart, but it should be noted after repeated efforts by the diocese to convince these individuals to end their trespass," Dupont said. "Sadly after meetings and conversations over the past two weeks, it became clear they would not relent."
The lawsuit, filed this week in Hampden Superior Court, names Anop and eight other parishioners as defendants and includes all other unnamed people inside the church. The complaint seeks a court order forcing them to vacate the premises -- a move Anop said is unheard of in the Catholic Church.
"There are at least six vigils going on in Massachusetts, and several of them in Boston have been ongoing since 2004," Anop said. "It is unprecedented that a bishop would use the courts to interrupt a prayer vigil. We will remain here until we have to make a decision to do otherwise. Our ancestors dug the foundation for this church and paid for this building again and again over the years. It's more than just a building to us."
A preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled to take place this coming Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Springfield.
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