“Battle to Save New York’s St. Vincent de Paul Ends in Rome”

The story HERE.

The years-long battle to save St Vincent de Paul church has apparently ended with the rejection of the parishioners’ appeal in Rome. The archdiocese took steps to close the parish in 2007 – although actual service continued for well  after that year.

This decision frees up the property for sale:

“Joseph Zwilling, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York, which owns the St. Vincent de Paul properties, confirmed that there is a buyer but said the sale is contingent on final approvals from Rome. Those last steps, it is believed, aren’t subject to an appeals process from former parishioners, he said.”

But there are further repercussions:

“Mr. Borre (A consultant to the St.Vincent de Paul parishioners -SC)said the Vatican court’s handling of the St. Vincent appeal may shed light on how the process could go for at least a dozen New York City parishes pursuing appeals to reverse merger and closure decisions announced in 2014 as part of the archdiocese’s largest-ever reorganization.”

Interesting – despite the non-stop rhetoric, Rome sides with  developers and the acolytes of money against the minorities and dwellers in the “periphery.” Some vow to continue the fight:

“Olga Statz, a parishioner who headed the appeals process for St. Vincent, said she wasn’t surprised by the ultimate decision made by the Vatican court but called it “heartbreaking on so many levels.”
Parishioners pursuing appeals against the archdiocese should maintain their hope, push forward and not “bow their heads like sheep going to the slaughter,” she said.”

Our description of this church from 2012 is HERE.

(Above: A traditional Mass celebrated on a side altar of St Vincent de Paul in 2007)