STL Catholics

We know many more parishes are appealing to Rome, more than just the “lucky” 7 that received a “suspension” Decree.  Why is the Archdiocese once again picking “winners and losers” and applying an inconsistent standard of “justice”?  The Archdiocese knows, for certain, that many other parishes had Procurators, and/or perfected their Appeal to Rome via the canon law process (which does NOT require notification to the local Ordinary).  However, many of those parishes still gave some notice to the Archdiocese, yet still are left without any answers as to why their extinctive merger decree is moving forward, and others are suspended.

We strongly urge any parish that sent an appeal to Rome to use any or all of the leadership emails listed to confirm in writing to the Archbishop and the Archdiocese that they are, in fact,
appealing to Rome.

At a minimum, we would recommend that His Excellency Archbishop Rozanski, Vicar Fr. Chris Martin, Judicial Vicar Fr. Philip Bene, and the “allthingsnew” email addresses be used.  Copy yourself and/or any other news outlet or public source.  AFTER the email, you may also wish to send a certified copy of your email/letter, to the Archdiocese (one such “tracking confirmed” document will be sufficient, to any addressee, but probably most preferably to His Excellency Archbishop Rozanski).  

You can certainly ask any question you like, or for whatever relief you might like.  But we would recommend that you quote from their press release or an article like this one in CNA https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254961/st-louis-parishes-appeal-to-the-vatican-amid-merger-closure (which quoted them as saying that they want to respect the canonical appeal process, and SUSPEND the effects of any extinctive merger decree until a final decision from Rome). 

Simply ask them that if that is the criteria, which would apply to ALL PARISHES appealing to Rome, why won’t they NOW apply it to you?

His Excellency Archbishop Rozanski is in charge, and clearly needed no permission from Rome to suspend the 7 decrees.  Likewise, he needs no permission from Rome (or anywhere else) to suspend the decrees of ALL parishes appealing.  To say otherwise is simply false.  

Part of every appeal in regard to “All Things New” involves its subjective application of canon law and objective reality, and suspending “some” (but not “all”) tragically confirms the very nature of ALL of the appeals, including those 7 that were suspended.  IF Archbishop Rozanski is unwilling to suspend the decrees for ALL such parishes, the evidence of this inconsistent application of canon law (and apparent violation of their own reasoning stated in their press release) could and should be considered further evidence of the arbitrary and capricious nature in which the ATN process has been applied to the faithful flock here in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

And even as we work to “suspend” decrees and even seek to have them overturned, we continue to pray for His Excellency Archbishop Rozanski, and all of his leadership team.  We pray for truth and transparency, and state once again that a truly public forum for Catholics with appeals or questions, would be the best possible option for understanding, or any healing/unity.

King of France, St. Louis IX, pray for us!!