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Vatican Denies Appeal Of Closed Scituate Parish

The Vatican has rejected an appeal by parishioners who've occupied a Scituate church in protest since the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston closed it eight years ago.

The decision announced Monday by the archdiocese is a blow to a protest that was, by far, the strongest remaining of several that broke out after widespread church closings were announced in 2004.

In a ruling by its Congregation for the Clergy, the Vatican upheld Cardinal Sean O'Malley's decision to convert the Scituate church building to secular use - a step necessary before sale.

In other dioceses, including in Springfield and Allentown, Pa., the Vatican has refused to let dioceses close church buildings.

Jon Rogers, leader of the round-the-clock vigil in Scituate, said the decision was unjust, and parishioners will appeal to the Vatican's high court.

This program aired on May 14, 2012. The audio for this program is not available.

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