NORWICH – The Catholic churches of Norwich are taking unified steps away from being divided and conquered, officials said Tuesday.

Following a meeting with church leaders, consultants and parishioners Tuesday, Committee to Save St. Bartholomew’s legal representative Thomas Vitanza said the biggest development is Father Douglas Cunningham openly supporting the push to keep both St. Paul’s and St. Bart’s from closing.

“Father Cunningham is 100 percent for keeping both churches open,” Vitanza said. “We’re confident we can accomplish that.”

Cunningham said the belief that he has been one-sided has been false, and that following his orders as an extension of the diocese put him in a position that may have appeared to be in opposition of his parishioners.

“I love both churches,” Cunningham said. “I’ve been working behind the scenes trying to talk to the diocese all along.”

Now the two-church priest hopes that a display of unity and positive action will be enough to save them both.

“We all agree that we have a vibrant Catholic community here in Norwich,” he said. “We have to show Syracuse we are unified as a community.”