COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A local church could soon close its doors for good.
The Catholic Diocese of Columbus plans to merge Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (OLMM) parish with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish.
As a non-parochial church, OLMM will not be afforded all the activities and Masses it currently has. According to parishioners, the decree is one of the first steps in closing their church, which is why they’re appealing that decision.
A few years ago, NBC4 reported on a three-year campaign the Catholic diocese launched called Real Presence, Real Future to address the growing needs of parishes across central Ohio. Those findings have led to the decision to merge the two churches.
“If this parish closes, there won’t be a Catholic presence for miles,” OLMM Director of Music Ministry Anne Grossman Peters said. “The whole southeast side won’t have a catholic church.”
The Catholic Diocese of Columbus referred NBC4 back to its 2023 statement which reads:
More than half of the parishes that were recommended to close in the Real Presence Real Future initiative will remain open thanks to His Excellency, Bishop Earl K. Fernandes, clergy, and diocesan leadership, working to find alternate solutions.
The Real Presence Real Future planning initiative began after priests voiced the need for change in parish life in the Diocese of Columbus back in 2019. Bishop Robert J. Brennan (formerly of Columbus) listened and started what would become a more than two-year time of listening and discernment.
Three rounds of draft models were compiled using more than 30-thousand pieces of feedback from clergy, parishioners, and surveys. Parishes conducted meetings and town halls to hear from the laity.
“…(we have) given that feedback serious consideration, making revisions when necessary and possible.” – Bishop Earl K. Fernandes, Diocese of Columbus
The third and final round of recommendations was presented to His Excellency, Bishop Earl K. Fernandes in August 2022. Since then, Bishop Fernandes has spent time traveling all over the diocese to talk with clergy and parishioners.
The Real Presence Real Future data identified 32 parishes for closure. As a result of hard data and hard work, 17 of those parishes will remain open.
“Real Presence Real Future ushers in a new spirit of attentiveness to the specific needs of our Catholic community.” – Matt Schlater, COO, Diocese of Columbus
OLMM parishioners disagree with the decision to merge. All day Wednesday, dozens of people stopped by the church to sign the appeal.
“With a holiday coming and the diocesan offices being closed Thursday at 1 (p.m.) and Friday, we are down under the gun to get signatures for our appeal before the offices are closed to be within Canon Law to meet that ten-day deadline,” Grossman Peters said.
Grossman Peters said their church truly is a family.
“In 2020, my then-husband passed away from COVID, and this parish community saved my life,” Grossman Peters said. “They were here for me in every possible way.”
The decree cites a number of reasons for the merger, including low finances and parish population numbers, though Grossman Peters said these figures don’t reflect the current times.
“We think if the bishop knew that this building is paid off, which is not in this document, that we have $400,000 in savings, that we have a vibrant community, not a declining community, that he would maybe change his mind about us,” Grossman Peters said.
Signatures will be collected again on Thursday at OLMM located at 5225 Refugee Rd., Columbus, from 9-10:30 a.m. The appeal will then be delivered to the chancery before it closes at 1 p.m. for the holiday.
