On Saturday, Roman Catholic Parishes throughout the Diocese of Cleveland learned of their fate. Bishop Lennon decided to close 29 of the 224 parishes and merge 41 to create 18 new parishes. That's a total loss of 52.
Many congregations expected to close. But others, like St. Colman on West 65th and Lorain, were caught completely flat footed.
Bishop Lennon decided to merge the historic Irish parish with nearby St. Stephen's, even though the parish cluster team recommend that St. Stephen's close and St. Colman remain open.
Members of St. Colman say they hope the parish will appeal the decision. Walt Zimmerer travels all the way from Strongsville to attend mass there.
Zimmerer: "They have a ten day appeal process and I think people will take advantage of that and try to get the bishop to reconsider and see the light. I'm sure his intentions are good, but the results are not."
St. Colman pastor Father Bob Begin asked people to fill out a form telling him whether or not they want to appeal the decision. Under cannon law, all parishes have 10 days to appeal.
Caitlin Johnson, 90.3