The St. Stanislaus Kostka vigilkeepers meet regularly to share news. The group of 60 or more regulars have been keeping a round-the-clock vigil in the historic church for nearly a year.
ADAMS, Mass. — The chill's starting to creep back into the church, and the dozens of parishioners were buttoned up in coats as they slid into the pews of the darkened nave.
It was the waning of Day 326 and the regular Monday night meeting of the vigilkeepers at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. The goal of their vigil is simple: Keep the historic and fabulously decorated Polish church open as a place of worship.
Parishes have some options to protest their closings.
Appeal to the bishop within 10 days of a decree of suppres-
sion or merger. He's got 30 days to get back to you - or not.
If the answer is still no, the parish then has 10 days to appeal to the Congregation of Clergy in Rome. They could take years to respond and usually back the bishop.
All is not lost. The next step is to appeal to the Apostolic Signatory, the Vatican's "supreme court." It is headed by St. Louis' former Archbishop Raymond Burke, who leans conservative.
If the first appeal for a hearing fails, the last step is a plea to the full bench of the signatory. The process can cost thousands.
10 days of a decree of suppres-
appeal to the Apostolic Signatory, the Vatican's "supreme court." It is headed by St. Louis' former Archbishop Raymond Burke, who leans conservative.
