WORSHIPPERS at a Wirral church controversially shut by Catholic authorities have won an historic ruling from the Vatican that the closure order was “null and void”. Ss Peter and Paul’s church in New Brighton – known to many as the “Dome of Home” because it is visible to sailors in Liverpool Bay – was shut in 2008, despite protests from its parishioners.
The Diocese of Shrewsbury had insisted the church was too expensive to operate and moved services to the Anglican All Saints – a step which angered many worshippers.
A campaign group SOUL (Save Our Unique Landmark) was set up to press the Diocese to retain the 1930s grade II listed building.
Through specialist solicitors BBH, based in Eastham, they took their appeal to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy and in a ruling believed to be historic for the church won their case.
Partner at BBH Solicitors, Anthony McKeever, said the Diocese of Shrewsbury “lost in no uncertain terms”.
He said the response from the Congregation for the Clergy in the Vatican upheld their appeal against the decree by the Diocese of Shrewsbury to close Ss Peter and Paul’s church.
Mr McKeever said that, in August, 2008, the diocesan solicitors, Hague & Lambert, Manchester, wrote stating that “our clients reiterate that they will be bound by the decision of the Congregation in Rome”.
Mr McKeever said: “The decision of the Vatican was unequivocal, and we will now be doing everything we can to ensure the diocese stands by its agreement to be bound by the decision.
“The Diocese may have ticked all the boxes procedurally, but their actions were in fundamental breach of canon law and this decree for closure is most certainly null and void.”
The solicitors acting for the New Brighton worshippers have sent a request to the Diocese through their solicitors asking them to advise when the Church of Ss Peter and Paul, New Brighton, will be re-opened.
But Fr John Joyce, spokesman for the Diocese of Shrewsbury, said they had received the communication of the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy “confirming that the procedures for closing the church of Ss Peter and Paul, New Brighton, were carried out correctly”.
He said: “In addition, it also notes that the primary concern, which it shares, is that the Catholic community should have a permanent place of worship. Everything will be done to achieve this objective.”
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