Former Monongahela parish building to close
After a lengthy stay in the Vatican’s high court, the decision to not reopen the St. Anthony Church in Monongahela has been upheld.
The Diocese of Pittsburgh received the decision on July 27. Officials said there would be no further appeal to the decision.
The Washington County building ceased to be parish in 2011 when it merged with the former Transfiguration Parish to form the St. Damien of Molokai Parish, according to the diocese.
A letter penned by Bishop David A. Zubik, who made the original decision to close the parish, indicated that “the future of Saint Anthony Church has been a source of conflict among some of you. But I understand that it is a conflict born of love.”
“Saint Anthony Church has been such a source of inspiration for many Catholics in Monongahela, and some of you have taken every last extraordinary measure to try to save it,” Zubik wrote.
In the letter, Zubik challenged the community to “express condolences to those who have lost what they fought to save” and “apologize to anyone you may have hurt with your words.”
“If you have had differences over church buildings, reach out to one another with open hearts full of love and reconciliation,” he wrote. “Seek out and welcome back those who are so hurt that they have stayed away.”
In 2013, Zubik was consulted by parish members to determine the future of the buildings after “continued deficit spending would have jeopardized the parish’s ability to provide ministry and outreach in Monongahela,” according to the diocese.
After a 2014 decision to close the St. Anthony building, appeals were filed by former parishioners, stating that the Vatican court decision was “without merit under Church law,” citing “a fundamental defect in evidence.”
The court found, however, that Zubik followed proper procedures. They also noted that there was substantial evidence to indicate that the continued “maintenance of St. Anthony Church would, in fact, prevent the parish of St. Damien of Molokai from providing for the needs of the people,” according to the diocese.