Adams Church reopens following protests | News

ADAMS, Mass. (AP) - A Roman Catholic church in Adams that was occupied by protesting parishioners for more than three years has reopened for regular worship.          

Protesters occupied St. Stanislaus Kostka to reopen since it shut in December 2008. It was merged into the new Blessed John Paul the Great Parish.          

The Republican reports that Father Daniel Boyle, the parish's pastor, told the congregation Saturday the diocese approved a plan to reopen St. Stanislaus Church as a "chapel-mission" of the parish. His plan follows a Vatican decision to keep the church in religious use.          

The first Mass is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Palm Sunday, April 1 and Mass is scheduled for Sunday mornings.          

Roman Catholic dioceses around the country have recently closed parishes due to falling attendance, a lack of priests and financial strain.

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