Posted on 01/23/2014 12:06:10 PM PST by marshmallow
Siding with former parishioners, the Congregation for the Clergy has decreed that a historic Buffalo parish cannot be reduced to profane use.
“In a decree dated Jan. 7, 2014, the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy has upheld the appeal of former St. Ann parishioners, who argued against the reduction of St. Ann Church in Buffalo to profane (non-religious) use,” the Diocese of Buffalo said in a statement. “The decree also prohibits any potential developer from repurposing the property.”
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicculture.org ...
The diocese numbers have been dropping for decades, and many other buildings and schools were slated for closure. This building no longer hosts services, and has been slated for demolition. Seems beyond foolish for the Vatican to listen to former parishioners who don't want to (re)occupy the property, overruling the one remaining rightful occupant (i.e. the bishop).
Do you know what exact use it was going to be converted into? The article did not say. Of course, I can think of a couple of ‘religious’ groups that I would not want it to be given/made available to.
Its a beautiful old church in a run-down area of Buffalo. Used to be home to a lot of Germans and Poles, who are long-gone. think Detroit. It has been closed for at least a year, so its condition certainly is not improving with time.
It needs a lot of money for updates and the local Diocese doesn’t want to spend the money for what is now a small congregation. There was debate if they could raise the restoration money themselves, but I highly doubt it.
I don’t think any group has expressed interest to have St. Annes There was another closed church deep in the heart of the now Yemeni part of town, and I was surprised (and I suppose relieved) to see that as soon as it closed, the local Diocese had it taken down and the site completely cleared.
There are YEMENIS in BUFFALO? I would have been relieved too - better than having it become a mosque.
Thank you.
Any local news on this?
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