Scituate Parishioners To Start Independent Parish After Supreme Court Rejection

BOSTON (CBS/AP) — Parishioners of a church closed by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston in 2004 will end their 'round-the-clock vigil now that the Supreme Court has refused to hear their case.

But the group now intends to create an independent Catholic parish without the archdiocese.

Parishioners have occupied the St. Frances X. Cabrini church in Scituate for more than 11 years.

The Supreme Court decision Monday leaves in place a judge's decision to evict the parishioners in a trespass case brought by the archdiocese.

Jon Rogers, a spokesman for the parishioners' group, said they plan to start an independent Catholic church not affiliated with the archdiocese.

"We are starting an inclusive church that basically welcomes everybody," Rogers told WBZ. "This is going to be a great opportunity it's a void that the Archdiocese of Boston has left and continues to leave as they close and destroy churches."

He said they will vacate the church after a "celebration of transition" service May 29 at 10 a.m.

Nancy Shilts has been going to the church since it was built in 1961. "It's like part of my family is gone, except for the figures that are here," Shilts says. "In my heart, it's gone. It's gone."

The archdiocese hopes the protesters will go to another parish within the archdiocese, archdiocese spokesman Terrence Donilon said.

"The parishes of the Archdiocese welcome and invite those involved with the vigil to participate and join in the fullness of parish life," Donilon said in a statement.

Rogers released few details on plans to start a new church but said the parishioners' group has two possible venues where they hope to hold services. He said the group has "a long list of clergy that are willing to basically join us on this new journey."

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