St. John’s Parish Core Group appeals bishop’s merger decree

By RICK MILLER

Olean Star

OLEAN — St. John the Evangelist Parish has appealed to Bishop Michael W. Fisher of the Buffalo Diocese to reverse his March 5 decree that the parish merge with St. Mary of the Angels Parish.

Members of the Parish Core Group reviewed petitions to revoke the decree from 400 parishioners during a meeting Thursday night at the Pulaski Club clubrooms.

Dan Hinz, procurator of the Parish Core group said the parish had 10 days to appeal to the bishop. Papers were being mailed to the Buffalo Diocese on Friday morning.

In their appeal, the parish explains why they don’t think a merger with St. Mary’s is necessary. The two churches already share two priests.

When St. John the Evangelist and Transfiguration churches merged in 2010, St. Johns was to remain a secondary worship site. The diocese feels St. Johns has not met the terms to continue as a secondary site.

The Remonstratio, or paper documenting the parish’s reasons against the merger as part of the appeal. The bishop has 30 days to appeal or not, Hinz said.

The parish would then have 15 days to appeal the merger to the Vatican, called a Dicastery of Clergy.

Details of the decree were posted last week on St. John’s and the St. Mary of the Angels Basilica Facebook pages and at www.savestjohnsolean.com.

A consolidation of services is already underway in the Enchanted Mountain Catholic Community. The group is comprised of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, St. John the Evangelist and St. Bonaventure Church. It is vastly different from the merger decree involving St. Marys and St Johns, Hinz pointed out.

In a letter to St.John’s parishioners, Hinz pointed out that “The EMCC community now has two priests that are bringing back an energy back to Mass like we haven’t seen in years. Father Chris and Father Greg filled all three churches from our Ash Wednesday Masses even though Ash Wednesday isn’t a holy day of obligation.”

Save our Buffalo Churches have provided guidance to the Parish Core Group and the St. Joseph’s Foundation of Ohio has helped with a canon lawyer, Hinz said.

One of Hinz’s concerns is that the merger will drive part of the flock away — literally. As Catholics, he said we are in the business of saving souls.

The Parish Core Group has been energized by the work of the appeal. “You don’t quit on Christ,” Hinz said. “They don’t want to see Catholics stop being Catholics.”

Hinz said the church has in the neighborhood of 400 members and regular supporters. “They (diocese) say we have financial problems, which we do not have.”

Hinz noted.

“It is the intention of the St. John’s Parish Core Group that St. John’s and the Southern Tier Catholic School be part of that as a parish for years to come. Your continued prayers and support are appreciated.”

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