Guest Submission VII: St. Emeric's decree fulfilled

 supporters and press standing on public property during the stand-off 1 July 2010

 sit in ended

Today in the Plain Dealer, Michael O'Malley gives more of the events surrounding the announcement of this church which was the last to close in June of 2010.  The parishioners "univited" Lennon for the closing Mass, and told him we will not be here if you show up for the close — a boycott. Instead, they had a large prayer service with devotions the day before, and afterwards a number of parishioners led by John Juhasz stayed in the locked building so that the diocese could not get in the following day.  The doors were locked, and the chains were put on the interior of the doors.  The priest and the custodian knew nothing of the takeover plan.

The next day: diocesan workers found the doors locked, and they could not get in. They called the chancery, and then a stand off took place with all media in attendance.  St. Casimir supporters were on the outside witnessing the event. By mid afternoon the chancery called in the police, and told them that that the people in the church broke in and did all kinds of damage to the interior.  I was told this by the police commander, Keith Sulzer. The commander told me, that the diocese told him, if they do not come out immediately, to use a battering ram on the doors.  I told him that the chancery were liars, and that the people stayed in the church after the prayer service, and social, which ended around midnight.  They did no damage, and that they were praying inside.  The commander said, "I am a Catholic. I do not want to batter down the doors. Can I talk to someone".    Immediately we put him in touch with their attorney, Charles Feliciano, the former head consul for the diocese. Feliciano arrived.  A powwow was arranged inside, with the commander, attorney, and the faithful sit down occupiers. Then the commander brought, into the church a number of his men, whom he asked to sit in the pews and pray with the Hungarians.  So they did.

An agreement was reached with no arrests made, after the commander called the chancery, and had them agree to the terms of no arrests, and a meeting with the bishop.  The commander did his Christian duty, and a week later, Bishop Lennon met with the parishioners and counsel. No progress was achieved. The parish's pastor, Sandor Siklodi, had no idea of the sit in.  The next day, Lennon told him he cannot practice as a priest in Cleveland.  He told him to leave the diocese.

An appeal was made to Rome by the parish organist, Miklos Peller.  Saint Emeric followed the example of St. Casimir's and started a Sunday morning prayer vigil on the street, being the 5th closed parish to do the same. These parishioners, many of whom were in the 1956 Hungarian Revolution against the communists were not giving up without a fight.

After the 10 other churches were opened, Lennon kept punitively stalling on St. Emeric. Rome had ordered them to be re-opened. Two more appeals were made to Rome concerning Lennon.  Lennon made a comment to the Pellers, that he is tired of this "ethnic stuff" and he will do what he wants to do, regardless of Rome. 

Rome had other ideas. The opening Mass will be on November 4th at noon.  St. Emeric's Day is November 5th.  How about this for a celebration? The parishioners have won out over tyranny by following the teachings of Jesus, living their Catholic faith, and staying together for the Sunday prayer vigil on the street in front of their beloved St. Emeric.

— Joe of St. Casimir
—— a friend of a voice from the rustbelt, and himself another voice