Diocese decides both Norwich Catholic parishes will remain open
NORWICH – Both of Norwich’s Catholic churches will remain open, church officials announced at services over the weekend.
St. Paul’s and St. Bartholomew’s will be “linked” for a “long-term” period of time, Father Douglas Cunningham confirmed Monday, meaning “both churches will remain open, separately incorporated, serving separate communities of faith, and sharing a single pastor.”
The two churches have already been linked under one priest for several years.
The county’s five other Catholic churches are still awaiting official word from the Diocese of Syracuse regarding their futures.
Considering it was originally announced in March 2006 that one of Norwich’s two churches – most likely St. Bart’s – would be closed, parishioners and church officials say this turn-around – coming after two years of tension and lobbying to save both parishes – is positive news.
“It’s a positive thing,” said St. Bart’s member Joseph Biviano, referring to Bishop James Moynihan’s weekend announcement that both churches will stay open. “What happens now depends on us. We have to move forward.”
In May 2007, over 30 parishes and missions in the diocese – mostly in the Binghamton, Syracuse and Utica areas – were ordered to close or merge as part of an unprecedented campaign to offset a declining priest population.
Cunningham said neither Moynihan nor the diocese offered an explanation behind the decision to keep St. Paul’s and St. Bart’s open.
“This is very good, very beloved news for all of us,” he said. “Now we have to move forward in unity and peace, and show the Bishop how grateful we are, and how thankful we are.”
The March 2006 announcement created somewhat of a rift in Norwich’s Catholic community, with some parishioners feeling St. Bart’s was unfairly categorized as the less-viable of the two congregations. In the months that followed, representatives from both congregations developed a joint proposal for the diocese outlining the necessity to keep both churches open.
When asked if the status of both churches was permanent, Cunningham said, “I don’t see this as a short-term thing, otherwise we would have been listed as ‘merged’ or ‘closed.’ I see this as very long-term. It’s excellent news.”
Plans for the rest of Chenango County, which involve sharing priests with Diocese of Albany, appear to still be on hold.
Diocese officials did not return a message seeking comment by press time Monday morning.
In a prepared statement Bishop Moynihan wrote, “I hope that this decision will allow the Catholic communities of Norwich to continue to support one another in love.”
St. Paul’s and St. Bartholomew’s will be “linked” for a “long-term” period of time, Father Douglas Cunningham confirmed Monday, meaning “both churches will remain open, separately incorporated, serving separate communities of faith, and sharing a single pastor.”
The two churches have already been linked under one priest for several years.
The county’s five other Catholic churches are still awaiting official word from the Diocese of Syracuse regarding their futures.
Considering it was originally announced in March 2006 that one of Norwich’s two churches – most likely St. Bart’s – would be closed, parishioners and church officials say this turn-around – coming after two years of tension and lobbying to save both parishes – is positive news.
“It’s a positive thing,” said St. Bart’s member Joseph Biviano, referring to Bishop James Moynihan’s weekend announcement that both churches will stay open. “What happens now depends on us. We have to move forward.”
In May 2007, over 30 parishes and missions in the diocese – mostly in the Binghamton, Syracuse and Utica areas – were ordered to close or merge as part of an unprecedented campaign to offset a declining priest population.
Cunningham said neither Moynihan nor the diocese offered an explanation behind the decision to keep St. Paul’s and St. Bart’s open.
“This is very good, very beloved news for all of us,” he said. “Now we have to move forward in unity and peace, and show the Bishop how grateful we are, and how thankful we are.”
The March 2006 announcement created somewhat of a rift in Norwich’s Catholic community, with some parishioners feeling St. Bart’s was unfairly categorized as the less-viable of the two congregations. In the months that followed, representatives from both congregations developed a joint proposal for the diocese outlining the necessity to keep both churches open.
When asked if the status of both churches was permanent, Cunningham said, “I don’t see this as a short-term thing, otherwise we would have been listed as ‘merged’ or ‘closed.’ I see this as very long-term. It’s excellent news.”
Plans for the rest of Chenango County, which involve sharing priests with Diocese of Albany, appear to still be on hold.
Diocese officials did not return a message seeking comment by press time Monday morning.
In a prepared statement Bishop Moynihan wrote, “I hope that this decision will allow the Catholic communities of Norwich to continue to support one another in love.”
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