Groups urge Cleveland bishop to reopen churches

CLEVELAND (AP) — Members of three churches in the Diocese of Cleveland gathered to urge their bishop to quickly comply with Vatican decrees reversing the closure of 13 Roman Catholic churches.

The Plain Dealer reports the group on Thursday night had a gathering where they read letters sent Wednesday to Bishop Richard Lennon, asking him to name new pastors and restore churches to the positions they had before their 2009 closings.

About 100 people clapped during the readings by representatives of St. Patrick and St. Casimir churches in Cleveland and St. James Church in Lakewood.

Diocese spokesman Bob Tayek said Lennon likely had not seen the letters by Thursday night and that the Vatican documents received Wednesday were being reviewed.

Lennon has 60 days to decide whether he will appeal.