DECREE
Relegation to Profane but Not Sordid Use, Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Saint Mary) Church in Ireland
Due to the deteriorating condition of the older Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, a lack of the necessary funding to repair and maintain the older church, as well as substantial growth in the number of parishioners which led to the construction and dedication of a new parish church, consideration must be given as to whether sufficient grave cause exists for the relegation of the older Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church to profane but not sordid use.
Whereas the pastor of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, in whose territory the older Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church is situated, wrote to me out of concern for the fiscal stability of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in order to request that the older Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church be relegated to profane but not sordid use;
Whereas the following reasons indicate that the older Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, located at 2831 N 500 W, Ireland, Indiana, within the boundaries of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, is no longer able to be used for divine worship:
Whereas the number of parishioners has increased, and seating at the old church is limited to three hundred eighty five while the recently constructed and dedicated church has a seating capacity of seven hundred with additional space available if necessary; these seating capacities also do not take into consideration the necessary social-distancing during the time of a pandemic;
Whereas Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish now has the care of two church buildings which creates significant financial expenditure for the parish for maintenance and repairs of all edifices, giving rise to concern for the fiscal stability of the parish;
Whereas the structure of the older Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church has deteriorated to the extent that major repairs are necessary, including, but not limited to: observed cracked and loosely-held brick fragments as an overhead safety hazard to people and property, masonry damage, and other structural concerns; such expense imposes a considerable financial strain on Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish;
Whereas the new church edifice was dedicated on 28 June 2020 to serve as the primary parish church;
Whereas following the pastor’s consultation with the parishioners of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, including the parish pastoral council and the parish finance council, no interest was expressed in maintaining use of the older Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, particularly because the recently dedicated Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church now serves the faithful as the primary parish church;
Whereas other reasonable sources of funding for the maintenance of the older Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church have been considered but found inadequate.
Having carefully considered the law and the facts; and
Having heard the pastor of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish; and
Having consulted the members of the Council of Priests on 27 October 2020 regarding the question of the possible relegation to profane but not sordid use of the older Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, and following discussion, no substantial objection to that proposal was offered; the Council of Priests voted unanimously in favor of the proposal; and
Having consulted the members of the College of Consultors on 27 October 2020 regarding the question of the possible relegation to profane but not sordid use of the older Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, and following discussion, no substantial objection to that proposal was offered; the College of Consultors voted unanimously in favor of the proposal; and
Having consulted the members of the Diocesan Finance Council on 29 October 2020 regarding the question of the possible relegation to profane but not sordid use of the older Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, and following discussion, no substantial objection to that proposal was offered; the Diocesan Finance Council voted unanimously in favor of the proposal; and
Having ascertained by means of the original deeds and other documents as well as having heard from others that there are no major donors and/or their heirs who may have donated the older church edifice and/or the land; and
Having ensured that the good of souls will suffer no harm; the celebration of Mass and the sacraments are offered at the recently constructed and dedicated Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church.
Therefore, in accord with canons 1212 and 1222 §2 of the Code of Canon Law, and having judged that sufficient grave cause is indeed present, I hereby decree the relegation of the older Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church to profane but not sordid use. Therefore, it is no longer a sacred place and has lost its blessing, dedication, and consecration; it may no longer be used for divine worship.
The care and upkeep of the older and former Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, the property on which the former church sits and any improvements such as the recently constructed and dedicated Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, the rectory, parish office, and all other adjacent property remain the financial responsibility of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish.
The provisions of this decree shall be effective on 14 December 2020, all things to the contrary notwithstanding. This decree is to be communicated to all interested persons. These provisions may be appealed according to the norm of law, canon 1734 §§1 and 2.
Given at Evansville, Indiana
27 November 2020
Signed:
Most Reverend Joseph M. Siegel, DD, STL, Bishop of Evansville
Tim McGuire, Chancellor