Cleveland Catholic churches wait on news from appeals

CLEVELAND - A group of Catholic parishioners from churches in the Cleveland Diocese heard good news on Wednesday from the diocese of Springfield, Masachusetts.

Church officials in Rome ruled that the Springfield diocese did not adequately justify its decision to close three churches in its area.

This gives hope to the many Catholic churches that have been closed in the greater Cleveland area in the last few years. 

They are members of the Endangered Catholics Coalition. In all more than a dozen churches belong and have submitted similar appeals to the Vatican to re-examine their appeals to stay open. 

"Well, this means a clear signal from the Vatican that things are changing. That is it very hopeful. There are 15 confirmed appeals out of Cleveland and we're hoping that all 15 will be favorable," Pat Singleton, with the Endangered Catholics Coalition said.