Ottawa Citizen - 19th October 2006

(As published in the Ottawa Citizen)

Catholic Church firm on decision to shut St. Brigid's in Lowertown

By Katie Lewis, The Ottawa Citizen

Published: Thursday, October 19, 2006 No means no.

That was the decision parishioners from St. Brigid's Church in Lowertown were slapped with last night at a heated meeting with the Archdiocese of Ottawa.

Msgr. Kevin Beach, representing Archbishop Marcel Gervais, said the decision to close St. Brigid's -- a crumbling building with a bad roof -- was final.

The church hummed with discontent last night as parishioners voiced their sadness and anger at the decision.

"All he wants is this," said Olwen Lavelle, rubbing her thumb and first two fingers together. "Money."

Ms. Lavelle, 84, has been a member of the parish for almost 30 years.

"My heart is here," she said. "What would you do, if this happened to you? You'd fight."

And fight they will.

Parishioners have filed an application in Divisional Court to try to put a stop to the closing of their beloved 116-year-old church. The case is to be heard in February.

"We're not challenging the right of the archbishop to make the decision, but the way in which he did it," said Patrick Murray, the lawyer who is helping parishioners in their legal action. At the very least, according to Mr. Murray, the Catholic Church needs to consult with the congregation.

Steve Rose, a fourth-generation parishioner, said the main reason for closing the church is to move much-needed parishioners to Notre Dame Cathedral.

"They don't want us there," he said.

Another key reason for closing the church is the roof, which leaks. It would cost an estimated $140,000 to fix. Renovations to the rest of the church are estimated at between $1.8 million and $2.4 million.

Others had ideas of what to do with the church.

"It seems clear that the archbishop is going to close this church," said Neil Wilson, founding director of the Ottawa International Writers Festival. He said the church could become a centre for the arts, a suggestion that was met with groans and shouts of "no!"

"I guess miracles can happen," said Mr. Wilson doubtfully.

And with that, the parishioners cheered.