Siding with former parishioners, the Congregation for the Clergy has
decreed that a historic Buffalo parish cannot be reduced to profane use. “In a decree dated Jan. 7, 2014, the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy has upheld the appeal of former St. Ann parishioners, who argued against the reduction of St. Ann Church in Buffalo to profane (non-religious) use,” the Diocese of Buffalo said in a statement.
“The decree also prohibits any potential developer from repurposing the property.”
“Bishop Richard J. Malone is reviewing the decree, and said the diocese will file an appeal before the Apostolic Signatura, the Vatican’s highest juridical body,” the statement continued. “It will also be up to the bishop to decide what will happen with the use of St. Ann Church in the interim.”
The diocese had closed the parish in 2012.
“On Aug. 18, 2013, the Diocese of Buffalo announced the church would be razed due to severe interior and exterior deterioration, with re-construction costs estimated at between $8 million and $12 million,” the statement continued.