News broke late last night that the answer to an appeal made to the Vatican about the status Saint Ann’s Church and Shrine. In a decree dated Jan. 7, 2014, the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy has upheld the appeal of former St. Ann parishioners, who appealed against the reduction of Saint Ann’s to non-religious use.
The Buffalo Diocese will appeal the ruling by the Vatican, but in the interim, Saint Ann’s is returned to its status of a regular church and house of worship. It also halts any plans to sell the church or potentially raze the building. The Buffalo Diocese’s appeal to the Vatican won’t be based on if the church should be closed outlined in their initial decision to lock the doors of Saint Ann. It will be based on if Canon Law was followed properly in upholding the appeal.
At the very least, the appeal victory buys time for the people who want to see Saint Ann’s remain a church. It opens the door for them to come up with a plan to address some of the problems with the church building. The Buffalo Diocese has to adhere to Vatican’s ruling and work towards reopening the church. Their appeal can’t stop this process. Based on what I’ve read and talked to other people about, the appeal process at this level for Buffalo Diocese to overturn the decree will be tough to do.
Wow, this is such great news!!!! Thanks for the details and spelling out the implications for us.