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Written by Angela Kessler
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Thursday, 05 January 2006 |
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In an article published in The Blade on Dec. 20 (Vatican affirms closing of East Toledo parish), the contents of a Vatican decree were incorrectly reported.
According to The Blade, the Vatican said that [r]ather than close Holy Rosary [Toledo], the bishop should have merged the church with a neighboring parish or assigned it to a newly formed parish.
The facts are as follows: In virtually identical decrees, both dated November 22, 2005, the Congregation for the Clergy in Rome states that with regard to both Holy Rosary Parish in Toledo and St. James Parish in Kansas, this congregation confirms the decision of the Bishop with regard to the process followed for the closure of the parish and reallocation of the Faithful.
The Congregation specifically upheld the Bishop's reallocation of the Faithful, which refers to the fact that the parishioners of closed parishes can easily be served by nearby parishes. There is nothing in the decree to support The Blade's interpretation regarding merging the church with a neighboring parish or assigning it to a newly formed parish.
Diocesan records make clear that Holy Rosary Parish in Toledo was founded as a national Slovak parish and was never assigned any boundaries, so there is no territory to be reassigned to other parishes now that it is closed. The territory of St. James Parish in Kansas has been assigned to the neighboring parishes now that St. James is closed. In all cases of closed parishes Bishop Blair acknowledged that people will go to a parish of their choice, whatever the official boundaries might be.
The decree of the Congregation for the Clergy goes on to say that when it comes to the goods and obligations of the suppressed Parish, the applicable Church law is Canon 122 rather than Canon 123 cited by the Bishop's decree closing the parishes. This modification does not in any way alter the closing of the parishes. It simply indicates the correct canonical principles to be followed in the future disposition of assets and liabilities, all of which are currently being managed by the diocese under the name of the closed parishes.
During the consultations leading up to the parish closings, the Bishop made it clear in public meetings and through the distribution of written materials that he would gladly welcome recommendations from former parishioners of closed parishes as to how some or all of the liquid assets might be used. It has never been the intention of the Diocese of Toledo to profit by the closing of parishes. The ultimate disposition of assets and liabilities will be decided in conformity with Canon 122.
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