Tuesday, February 13, 2007
 
 
Parishioners of St. Brigid’s Catholic Parish will appeal Archbishop Marcel Gervais’ decision to close their church by using the ancient law of procedural fairness in Divisional Court Wednesday.

The parishioners’ lawyer, Patrick Murray, will have to prove that there was an implied contract between the parishioners and the Archbishop that suggested if the parishioners raised enough funds, the Lowertown church would stay open.

The parishioners raised thousands of dollars, and were dismayed to hear Archbishop Gervais’ firm decision to close St. Brigid’s last April.

Mr. Murray will argue that the parishioners had a right to be involved in the decision process, and will ask the courts to quash the decision and force the Archdiocese to re-visit the issue.

Msgr. Kevin Beach of the Archdiocese of Ottawa said St. Brigid’s is simply too much of a financial burden on the Catholic community for it to stay open, and that the archbishop came to his decision “after consulting the committees and councils he was supposed to consult.”

Mr. Murray said he realizes that even if the Archdiocese is forced to revisit the decision with the participation of the parishioners, the outcome could easily be the same. What’s important, he said, is that the parishioners have a chance to voice their concerns as part of the decision-making process.

“At least it would give parishioners an opportunity to feel they died on their feet,” he said, “rather than on their knees, which is where they are now.