Court Refuses To Overrule Diocese Decision to Close Church

According to an article in last Friday's Toledo Blade, a Seneca County, Ohio trial court judge has refused to overrule the decision of the Diocese of Toledo made two years ago to close the former St. James Catholic Church in rural Seneca County. Judge Michael Kelbley wrote: "The decision of Bishop Leonard Blair to close a parish in the present case was the sort of purely ecclesiastical decision that may not be reviewed by this or any court." Ex-parishioners say they plan an appeal. Meanwhile, an April 30 hearing is scheduled to decide who is entitled to personal property, such as church members' guitars and a CD player, that was locked inside the church building when it was closed. The parties hope they can resolve this matter before the scheduled hearing date.