Members of the closed St. Mary's parish in Junction, Ohio, filed a temporary restraining order against Toledo Bishop Leonard Blair and the Toledo Catholic Diocese, asking the court to keep them away from their old church and prevent them making a third effort at removing the many beautiful, priceless, 100-year-old stained-glass windows. (I wonder if this is the first time that Bishop Blair has been served with a TRO?)
Visiting Judge Randall Basinger of Putnam County Common Pleas Court last week continued the temporary restraining order after parishioner Janet Sholl personally put up $10,000 bond. These people really love their parish and are doing whatever they can to save it, although they've acknowledged to me they are not very optimistic of success.
The diocese's attorney, Tom Pletz of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, filed a motion to dismiss the court order, arguing in part that the plaintiffs "do not have standing" as a parish and that the ex-parish "is not an entity recognized by the state of Ohio and does not exist."
No, indeed, it does not, since the diocese has closed it. It will be up to Judge Basinger to decide this one.
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Today is the four-year anniversary of Bishop Blair's installation as bishop of the Toledo diocese. Sure has been an eventful four years. Lots of good things and a few notable bad things too. Well, happy anniversary to all concerned, and best wishes for Year No. 5.
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Catholic columnist Matt C. Abbott has printed an excerpt from my book in his online column. I appreciate his continued interest in this case and in my book. Here is a link to Matt's column.
Toledo, Ohio
December 4, 2007