Parishioners who have held a round-the-clock vigil at St. Frances Cabrini in Scituate for nearly 11 years are appealing a court-ordered eviction, arguing the church belongs to them.
A rotating group of parishioners have stayed in the church since the Archdiocese of Boston said in 2004 it was closing nearly a quarter of its churches. The closures were the result of declining attendance, a lack of priests, and financial problems that were compounded by settlements from the clergy sex-abuse scandal. A judge ruled earlier this month to evict the parishioners after the archdiocese sued them. The parishioners are now appealing that. Jon Rogers, a leader of the group, says according to canonical law, the church belongs to the people in the pews.
“We’re not doing this for ourselves, but for all the other churches," he said. "Because if the archdiocese is ultimately successful here, then we the parishioners are just really invited guests.”
So far, the Vatican has denied several appeals from the parishioners.
