A group of Newfoundland Catholics are celebrating a hard-fought victory as the Vatican overturned the suppression of their parish.
Holy Rosary Parish, in Portugal Cove-St Philips in the Canadian province of Newfoundland, was one of 18 parishes put up for sale after the archdiocese declared bankruptcy.
However, the Dicastery for the Clergy has overturned the decision by Archbishop Peter Hundt of St John’s, Newfoundland, to suppress a parish and relegate the church building to profane use.
GoFundMe campaign
The Vatican decision follows the parishioners’ successful bid to purchase their church in a 2022 auction.
The group raised funds through a successful GoFundMe campaign.
Nonetheless, uncertainty looms over the parish’s future despite the triumph, with Archbishop Hundt reportedly declining to discuss the liturgical outlook.
Ed Martin, a dedicated parishioner and advocate for the appeal, said he is happy about the decision but is cautious.
“I asked for a meeting [with Archbishop Hundt] to discuss it, but he’s not willing to meet at this point in time, so I don’t know what his next move is” Martin said.
Archbishop Hundt’s reluctance to engage in dialogue leaves the community grappling with unanswered questions. Despite attempts to seek clarification, the Archdiocese of St John’s has remained conspicuously silent on the matter.
Discontent among parishioners
The parish’s ordeal began amidst financial turmoil which led to the sale of 18 churches, including Holy Rosary, to resolve bankruptcy and compensate abuse victims.
While some locals aimed to preserve the church as a sacred space, others advocated for redevelopment, highlighting differing community interests.
In a bid to retain their cherished place of worship, parishioners strategically split the land purchase with community developers.
Discontent brewed among parishioners as they accused Archbishop Hundt of misleading them. They vehemently contested procedural irregularities and subsequently appealed to the Vatican, resulting in the recent favourable ruling.
The decision has undoubtedly reinvigorated Newfoundland Catholics, sparking renewed hope.
However, concerns persist as communication with Archbishop Hundt remains stalled, leaving the path forward shrouded in uncertainty.