Cleveland Residents React to 12 Catholic Churches Reopening

By Melissa Reid
Fox 8
April 17, 2012

http://fox8.com/2012/04/17/cleveland-residents-react-to-12-catholic-churches-reopening/

[with video]

It's a big day for area Catholics. A day years in the making.

Tuesday, Bishop Richard Lennon announced 12 Roman Catholic Churches will reopen.

They are the same churches whose closings were reversed by the Vatican last month.

"It is time for peace and unity in the Diocese of Cleveland. I will not appeal the decrees to the Apostolic Signatura. It would create more uncertainty and continue to divide our Catholic community," said Bishop Lennon.

Bishop Lennon had the option to appeal the Vatican's ruling but chose not to after much thoughtful prayer during the Easter Holiday.

"The church is primarily about people, their faith, and not about buildings," added the Bishop.

The doors to the twelve churches remain closed.

According to the Diocese, they must find a priest to lead the church and then restore the inside before the doors will open.

"I hope it opens in a few weeks. or immediately," laughed Emily Simmerly, of Cleveland.

Simmerly has been a parishioner of St. Pat's on the West Side for over sixty years.

"I am thrilled. Just so happy. Two and years of fighting for this, I'm just elated," added Simmerly.

And while the Diocese says the process will begin immediately, the Bishop says there are many challenges for the 12 churches ahead.

"This is a time for all Catholics to come together with God's help and strive to strengthen our diocesan church's serving the pastoral needs of all the Faithful," said the Bishop.