WASHINGTON, Pa. — Parishioners from two churches in Washington County were in court Thursday with the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.
The attorneys for the parishioners of St. Agnes, in Richeyville, and St Anthony, in Monongahela, are fighting the diocese’s decision to close their parishes by filing suit against the Diocese and Bishop David Zubik.
One parishioner told Channel 11’s Renee Kaminski, "The church has no heart and doesn't care about us."
[ HISTORY OF ST. ANTHONY AND ST. AGNES PARISHES ]
Lawyers for the diocese argued the state courts cannot decide matters of the church because it falls under canon law, not civil law.
More than 50 parishioners packed the courtroom on Thursday to hear opening arguments in their lawsuit against diocese of Pittsburgh.
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"The parishioners of the Roman Catholic Church need to speak out this is 2017,” parishioner Francine Mizwa said.
“We really want to stop this not only on the part of St. Anthony and St. Agnes, but all the churches about to be merged and closed,” said Mizwa.
Steve Topriani, the lawyer for the parishioners, doesn’t believe the process was properly followed.
“Quite simply we don't believe the proper processes were followed and we believe the bishop induced falsely these parishioners to prove sustainability of their parishes,” Topriani said.
Lawyers for the Catholic Diocese told the judge that parishioners don't have the ability to challenge the closing of parish against the decision of the Bishop David Zubik, who wasn't in court but is named in the lawsuit.
"The canon law the Catholic Church doesn't permit it,” said David Dye, a lawyer for the Diocese.
After the hearing, Diocesan officials wouldn't comment on the most contentious part of the suit which alleges the diocese committed fraud by accepting donations when it knew both St. Anthonys and St. Agnes were to be closed. While St. Agnes is occasionally open for worship, it does not have regularly scheduled masses.
The judge did not rule one way or the other today.
There is no word on when her decision will be announced on whether this case moves forward.