Diocese files appeal in St. Stan's decision
The fate of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church is still in flux, as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield is appealing a decision of the Vatican's Congregation for the Clergy allowing the church to remain open as a place of worship.
The appeal, which has been sent to the Vatican's highest court, the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, is seeking clarification of the judgment handed down, according to Diocese spokesman Mark E. Dupont.
"We need clarification on what is meant by ‘place of worship.' Does that mean we hold Mass there at least once a year? There's been a lot of debate about that meaning," he said. "We also are seeking clarification on the ruling because it was inconsistent with several other rulings we received that day."
The Diocese's decision has prompted the group of some 200 former parishioners, who have kept an around-the clock vigil at the church for 911 days, to file their own appeal with the Apostolic Signatura -- a move they say is critical to keep themselves involved in any discussions taking place in Rome.
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Catholic Diocese Suspends Mesa Pastor in Sexual Misconduct Investigation
One of the Valley’s most prominent priests, the Rev. John D. “Jack” Spaulding, pastor of St. Timothy’s Catholic Community in Mesa, was placed on administrative leave Friday after a Diocesan Review Board Thursday night determined there was a “credible” allegation of his involvement in sexual misconduct with a minor. It allegedly took place more than 25 years ago when he was pastor at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Parish in Scottsdale.
A diocese spokeswoman said police were notified of the allegation, but the church has no knowledge of a criminal investigation being under way.
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Man sues Catholic diocese in Texas on abuse claims
A man who alleges he was sexually molested by a Catholic priest in the 1970s has filed a civil lawsuit against a West Texas diocese and the Jesuits, claiming the defendants knew or should have known of the abuses and didn't protect him.
The man, identified as John Doe 103, claims the Jesuit priest convinced him to become an altar boy at Sacred Heart Church in El Paso. The suit claims he was molested over a two-year span. The lawsuit says abuses occurred in the priest's vehicle on the way to church functions.
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KC diocese replaces vicar in charge of sex-abuse cases
The vicar general for the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph no longer will oversee sexual-abuse allegations against priests, the diocese announced Wednesday.
Monsignor Robert Murphy, who has come under fire for his handling of a priest recently charged with possessing child pornography, will be replaced in that role, according to the diocese.
The Rev. Joseph Powers has been named the vicar for clergy, a new position.
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Diocese closes its Catholic bookshops
The manager entertained a steady stream of sympathy and gratitude as word got out that the bookstore was closing.
Mary Murphy thanked the customers who told her that the 63-year-old Cathedral Book Shop was their favorite place to buy religious books, rosaries and statues.
One woman told her the store had been good for her soul. Two priests - one Catholic, one Episcopal - stopped in to offer their condolences.
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Bishop seeks to end parish schism in the Diocese of Trenton
Dissent is brewing between the head of the Diocese of Trenton and a Monmouth County group that has formed its own, separate church.
In a statement issued this week, Bishop David M. O’Connell urged members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church — an offshoot of a Long Branch parish under the Diocese of Trenton’s umbrella — to return to the fold.
“Although claiming legitimacy as an ‘alternative’ or ‘independent’ Catholic Church, this group and the individuals leading or promoting it are not in communion with the Roman Catholic Church,” O’Connell said. “No Catholic Church is ‘independent.’”
According to news reports, the breakaway church formed earlier this year amid lingering discontent born of a previous parish merger and no longer counts itself under the authority of the diocese, or O’Connell.
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Monsignor removed after harassment allegations
The longtime pastor of a New Fairfield church was recently removed following allegations that he sexually harassed a female church employee, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport confirmed Wednesday.
Monsignor Martin Ryan, who has been at St. Edward the Confessor Church since 1992, left his post on May 5. Parishioners told the Connecticut Post that Ryan disappeared without explanation from officials.
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Bishop giving up Portland mansion
Bishop Richard Malone will soon move from a 16-room mansion in one of Portland's most upscale neighborhoods to a three-bedroom home in a suburban subdivision.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland announced Tuesday that Malone's mansion on the Western Promenade will be put up for sale.
The bishop will move into a three-bedroom Colonial-style home at 21 Twin Ponds Drive in Falmouth. The house is part of a 14-lot subdivision off Falmouth Road. The diocese bought the home on June 14, according to records at the Cumberland County Registry of Deeds.
Sue Bernard, spokeswoman for the diocese, described the move as a way for the diocese to save money on heating, maintenance and property taxes. She said Malone made the decision after consulting with his advisers.
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Jesuit who had served in Cleveland removed from ministry over allegation
A Jesuit priest who served in the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland for 18 years, was removed from ministry this month after an allegation that he improperly touched a child was found to be credible.
The complaint involving the Rev. J-Glenn Murray stems from the early 1980s when he was teaching at a Catholic high school in Baltimore.
The allegation was made to the Jesuits' Maryland Province in 2005 when Murray was an administrator in the Cleveland diocese, directing its Office of Pastoral Liturgy.
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