Parishioners are saying goodbye to the longtime pastor of St. Lucy's Church in northern New Jersey. They filled the pews this morning to hear Pastor Joseph Granato offer his final Mass.
The 80-year-old priest is being forced out of the Newark church he's led for 54 years in a dispute between Newark Archbishop John Myers and the congregation, which wants Granato to be allowed to live out his life there as his predecessors did.
Congregants wiped tears from their faces as Granato's belongings were carried out of the rectory after the service.
Some were critical of Myers, who has declined to discuss the matter.
Archdiocese spokesman Jim Goodness said the Roman Catholic Church now limits priests to 12 years in the same church.
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