Diocese, Protestors Back in Court

WWLP
January 4, 2012

www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/hampden/diocese-protestors-back-in-court


[with video]

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Diocese of Springfield will head to court Wednesday, to make their case to remove protestors holding vigil at the Mater Dolorosa Church in Holyoke.

The protesters have been holding vigil inside the closed church building since the Diocese closed the parish and merged it with Holy Cross back in June to form Our Lady of the Cross Parish. Protestors appealed their case to the Vatican, which upheld the Diocese's action.

Wednesday's court appearance is Bishop Timothy McDonnell's second attempt to have the protestors removed. In October, a judge rejected an injunction request from the Springfield Diocese that would have evicted the protesters.

The Diocese cited concerns about the safety of the church's steeple, as well as a large parish debt, as reasons for the closing.