While we are waiting for a final decision on our Vatican appeal, Bishop Zubik has decided to remove sacred and irreplaceable items from our church. There is a widely held belief among professionals that an appeal before the Vatican should prevent something like this from happening. Usually, out of respect for the process, churches are left intact during an appeal in case the Vatican rules in favor of the parishioners. This is what has happened in other dioceses, but sadly, is not the case here in Pittsburgh.
This has happened even though parishioners and the St. George Church Preservation Society have repeatedly made viable proposals to care for and restore the church at no cost to the Diocese.
We continue to pray that the Vatican will rule in favor of our parishioners. In that case we would be entitled to have mass there and items taken away from our church would need to be returned.
We have notified our canon lawyers here and in Rome. They have expressed their shock and disappointment that Bishop Zubik would be so disrespectful of the Vatican appeal process.
In Rome, our canon lawyers will be notifying the Apostolic Signatura (Supreme Court) of this disrespect and we are also sending an urgent letter to the Secretary of State of the Holy See.
We received a response from our local canon lawyer that explains how our parishioners have a shared ownership of St. George Church and its sacred contents. As parishioners, we have rights to have access to the church and to protect the contents. This is why Bishop Zubik has chosen to use chains and padlocks to keep parishioners out. We are providing this ownership information to the local authorities in case there is another incident where parishioners will need to prevent any further attempts to remove our shared property.
Over the years we have maintained a civil and considerate approach to this long and trying situation. Now we feel betrayed by Bishop Zubik. We are outraged that he has now decided to be so disrespectful to our parishioners and to the Vatican. This reinforces the growing mistrust that has developed over the past two years, especially after learning that some clerics in positions of power have decided that protecting and controlling the institutional structure and the treasury is much more important to them than sharing any meaningful control with committed and faithful Catholics.
Our church is an irreplaceable structure, a beloved landmark that defines the skyline of Allentown and the surrounding neighborhoods. For over 100 years, the generous donations of time, talent and dollars by generations of parishioners of modest means were entrusted to construct and maintain this magnificent sacred edifice. We pray that God will not allow this beautiful church to be cannibalized and discarded as planned by Bishop Zubik. In God we trust, not men who think they're God. |
