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News Headlines
Pittsfield: Should Park Square Be an Historic District?
Governor Expands Joint Active Shooter Response Training Statewide
Berkshire Fife and Drum Keeping Traditional Cadence Alive
Nonprofit Spotlight: Berkshire Place
BRPC, BDAO to Host Community Forum on Kratom
North Adams Airport Commission Hesitantly Backs Hangar Project Despite $115K Shortfall
Rev Tor Band Celebrating 30 Years
MassDOT Launch of 2026–2027 Safe Routes to School Funding Opportunities
Northern Berkshire United Way Kicks Off Annual Donation Campaign
Parish of St. John Paul II Hosts Fall Fest & Bazaar
 
Appeals Process
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.
Stories

Bishop Hopes Closings Reinvigorate Parishes

Bosley Wants More Dialogue on Church Closings

Parishioners Seek Solution to Save St. Stan's

Parishioners Set Vigil to Save St. Stan's

St. Stan's Closes With
Tears and Defiance

St. Stan's Hopes for Strength in Numbers

St. Stan's Pins Prayers on Mediation Request

 

 

 

 



Categories:
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coverage (4)
diocese (9)
event (5)
parish (5)
related stories (2)
Rome (6)
update (12)
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Decision Thanksgiving Congregation Of Clergy Reopening Apostolic Signatura Appeals Marians Anniversary Decree Closing Ruling Borre Time Trabold Council Of Churches Divine Mercy Deicision Opening Decision Christmas Hajdas New Orleans Vigil Tomkowitz Appeal Republican
Popular Entries:
Vigil's Anniversary Topic of Republican Column
Diocese Says Vatican Upholds Closure of St. Stan's
Vigils End in New Orleans
St. Stan Vigilers Hope Prayers Answered
St. Stan's Vigil to Mark Two Years
Pontiff Rejects Boston Parish Appeals
St. Stan's Announces Church Is Saved
Diocese Releases Statement on St. Stan's Ruling
St. Stanislaus Church To Reopen
Time Magazine Records Parishioners' Fight
Recent Entries:
St. Stanislaus Reopens For Palm Sunday Mass
St. Stanislaus Church To Reopen
Diocese Says Vatican Upholds Closure of St. Stan's
Diocese, Vigilers Appeal Ruling on St. Stan's
Diocese Releases Statement on St. Stan's Ruling
First Western Hemisphere Divine Mercy Images Still at St. Stan's
St. Stan Vigilers Hope Prayers Answered
St. Stan's Announces Church Is Saved
Pontiff Rejects Boston Parish Appeals
St. Stan's Vigil to Mark Two Years