A long-running dispute between the diocese of Down and Connor and a group of parishioners who oppose the closure of a Belfast church may be nearing resolution after the diocese has given a re-generation group a 50-year lease to restore the building. St Joseph`s Church in Sailortown in the docklands area of the city has been closed since 2001 because its congregation had been decimated by movement of people from the area.
The diocese insisted the church was unviable and could not justify the cost of refurbishments needed to make it safe but a group of local residents has resiliently opposed the closure and campaigned to have St Joseph’s reopened.
Supporters of the campaign include Belfast priest Fr Des Wilson, who has celebrated Sunday Mass on the steps of the church for the past seven years.
Under the deal, the Sailortown Regeneration Group will lease the building from the Church at no cost.
The agreement provides, however, that the building cannot be used for any kind of religious services or for political meetings.
Diocese spokesman Fr John McManus said the diocesan authorities had been looking for a “sustainable” future for the building.
“An independent report in 2003 identified that a community use would be the best outcome for the building and we are delighted that the Sailortown Regeneration group will be taking the agenda forward,” he said.
Mr Pat Benson of the Sailortown Regeneration Group said his organisation was focused on the future development of Belfast’s historic docks area of which St Joseph’s Church was at the heart.
“The group will now pursue an appraisal to determine how best to use the building”
Among the possible uses for the building – which dates from the nineteenth century and is a protected structure - are a heritage and recreational centre, and funding is expected to be sought from both the public and private sectors to restore the building so as to secure its future.
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(Source: CNI)