BISHOP ZUBIK'S DECREES OF ST. JOHN VIANNEY
On January 23, 2016, Bishop Zubik issued two separate decrees regarding St. John Vianney. One decree addresses the St. John Vianney Church building: This decree closes the church and calls for removal of the stained glass windows and other sacred and non-sacred artifacts. The decree also makes reference to a Pastoral and Finance Council petition of August 31, 2015. At that meeting, a proposal was presented by the bishop's advisers that indicated: “That if so relegated, the church building would be demolished and its contents be salvaged”. Our group of parishioners is preparing to appeal only the decree that addresses the church building. St. George Church Preservation Society (SGCPS) was organized to support the operation and restoration of the church over a number of years. As seen during the recent Church Alive! campaign, a modest number of generous parishioners were able to pledge $456,000. A similar fund-raising drive and pledge campaign is being started by SGCPS. A reserve of funds is needed to demonstrate throughout the appeal process that SGCPS has the ability to cover the costs of supporting the church. With the our large audience of supporters throughout the country and around the world, the SGCPS campaign will be able to raise the money needed for the restoration of the church. Example: $20.00 per week by 150 donors = $156,000.00 per year. The other decree addresses the total division of St. John Vianney Parish: The decree also makes reference to the meeting on August 31, 2015. At that meeting, the same proposal presented by the Bishop's advisers also indicated: “That the non-performing loans of the parish be written off against the reserves of the Parish Deposit and Loan Trust Fund Program”. It should be noted that the debt that accumulated from four parishes over decades is not owed to an external bank, it is owed to the trust fund that is controlled by the Diocese. None of the money raised by the St. George Church Preservation Society will be used to pay the debt of St. John Vianney Parish. Copies of the decrees and other documents can be accessed below: |
(Edit post) | Attachments: 
1.23.16 Church Decree.pdf 1.23.16 Parish Decree.pdf Demo proposal1.pdf