DECREE SUNDAY
For well more than an hundred Sundays, they came. The Casimiri's last Mass was a Mass of Eviction imposed upon them by Richard Lennon on 8 November 2009. The parish became, St. Casimir-in-exile. The next Sunday they met outside the church, on the sidewalk. They were born in the old country, and sang and prayed in Polish. They came the next week. The third week, their numbers grew to about five score. People came who were not parishioners, people who knew no Polish. The parish was still existing, and new people were joining. They would not surrender to suppression.
Fortunately, the Alumni engaged a canon lawyer in Rome. They were going to follow every procedure of redress, and not withdraw. This Sunday, was the first Sunday they had with knowledge that their appeal to Rome was successful. Wednesday, the 7th of March, electronic mail brought a copy of the Decree. News broke that thirteen decrees were signed, all in favor of parishioners. Richard Lennon had acted against canon law again, and again, and throughout, from the beginning. Further: "The Bishop of Cleveland is instructed to enact the implications of this Decree."
The Divine Mercy patronage banner for a coalition of parishes protesting the unjust, and unnecessary closing, and destruction of parishes by the current Bishop of Cleveland, Richard Lennon.
For well more than an hundred Sundays, they came. The Casimiri's last Mass was a Mass of Eviction imposed upon them by Richard Lennon on 8 November 2009. The parish became, St. Casimir-in-exile. The next Sunday they met outside the church, on the sidewalk. They were born in the old country, and sang and prayed in Polish. They came the next week. The third week, their numbers grew to about five score. People came who were not parishioners, people who knew no Polish. The parish was still existing, and new people were joining. They would not surrender to suppression.
Fortunately, the Alumni engaged a canon lawyer in Rome. They were going to follow every procedure of redress, and not withdraw. This Sunday, was the first Sunday they had with knowledge that their appeal to Rome was successful. Wednesday, the 7th of March, electronic mail brought a copy of the Decree. News broke that thirteen decrees were signed, all in favor of parishioners. Richard Lennon had acted against canon law again, and again, and throughout, from the beginning. Further: "The Bishop of Cleveland is instructed to enact the implications of this Decree."
An evening street vigil was held that very night. And to-day, the usual Sunday meeting was held again. It was a warm, sunny day. There was a promise of success. They had been there in the rain, the snow, the fog, the single digits of Fahrenheit, they were buffeted by the hawk wind off Lake Erie, the summer heat and sun, and lovely days.
On the eve of the ides of March, almost exactly, three years ago the list of parishes to fall was announced. After an intense public campaign, two parishes were given reprieves. Lennon had already nicked nine notches before the list was public. After that they fell as clockwork, two were advanced forward, one was never announced.
Now, Rome has spoken; and it is answered with silence from the chancery. What will Dick do? Rome has asked him to leave, he refused [repeatedly]. He is being embarrassed by the Vatican, one story, after another. Can he not read, and comprehend, the writing on the wall?
On the eve of the ides of March, almost exactly, three years ago the list of parishes to fall was announced. After an intense public campaign, two parishes were given reprieves. Lennon had already nicked nine notches before the list was public. After that they fell as clockwork, two were advanced forward, one was never announced.
Now, Rome has spoken; and it is answered with silence from the chancery. What will Dick do? Rome has asked him to leave, he refused [repeatedly]. He is being embarrassed by the Vatican, one story, after another. Can he not read, and comprehend, the writing on the wall?
The Divine Mercy patronage banner for a coalition of parishes protesting the unjust, and unnecessary closing, and destruction of parishes by the current Bishop of Cleveland, Richard Lennon.
some reporters/cameramen came early to have a story on the local newscasts
Jadwiga Zodda in the midst of the tolling for the thirteen parishes to be restored to full active, and open status. A mobile phone is held up to hear the sound to be transmitted to the people at St. Patrick's West Park's street vigil and celebration.
some of the 100+ begin lining up for group shots after the prayer service
A photographer takes the class picture with several, successive, cameras given to him.
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