SJC Won't Hear Appeal From Parishioners Of Closed Scituate Church

SCITUATE, Mass. (AP) — The highest court in Massachusetts has denied a request to review a ruling that found a group of Roman Catholic parishioners are trespassing in a church closed by the Boston Archdiocese 11 years ago.

Parishioners at St. Frances X. Cabrini church in Scituate said Friday the Supreme Judicial Court declined to review a ruling from the state Appeals Court. That ruling said the archdiocese can order the parishioners to leave.

St. Frances X. Cabrini Church in Scituate. (WBZ-TV)

The group has occupied the church since the archdiocese closed it in 2004 as part of a reorganization to deal with a decline in Mass attendance and donations following the clergy sex-abuse scandal.

Parishioners said they will continue to ask Cardinal Sean O'Malley to reconsider the decision to close the church and will review legal options with their attorney.