Decree from Bishop McCormack allows for sale of church

LACONIA - According to a decree presented to parishioners of St. Andre Bessette Parish, the Bishop of Manchester has determined Our Lady of the Lakes Parish may no longer be used for divine worship.

The decree, included in the church bulletins distributed to churchgoers over the weekend, paves the way for the sale of the property that includes the Lakeport facility, consisting of the church, the school-turned-gymnasium, and residential properties formerly housing priests and nuns.

In his edict, Bishop John McCormack said St. Andre Bessette Parish is unable to financially or gainfully use the property and the remaining facilities - St. Joseph Church, Sacred Heart Church, and St. Helene' Mission Church "suitably fit to accommodate the needs of the people of the Lakeport community and St. Andre Bessette Parish."

Right now, the Boys and Girls Club of the Lakes Region uses the former school building but is under contract to purchase The Citizen building and relocate once the sale is complete.

In August of 2010, McCormack gave his final sermon at the Our Lady of the Lakes Church and the Cross , the Tabernacle, the blessed sacrament and other holy relics and items were removed.

Built in 1905, Our Lady of the Lakes, the parish was closed as part of a consolidation that combined Sacred Heart Church, St. Joseph Church, and St. Helene Mission Church -opened only during summer months - into one parish. The new parish was named after St. Andre Bessette who was freshly canonized on Oct. 17, 2010 by Pope Benedict XI as the patron saint of the sick who attributed many of his healings to St. Joseph.

McCormack decreed three things: Our Lady of the Lake is no longer sacred, that it may no longer be used for divine worship and is "permanently regulated to profane, but not sordid, use."

According to Canon 1222 that governs the sale of property owned by the Roman Catholic Church, the phrase "profane, but not sordid" means the property must be used in such a way that assures the "good of souls suffers no detriment thereby."

This includes the denunciation of the Catholic Church and the Catholic Faith, the desecration of Catholic objects of devotion or worship or even any disrespectful or casual treatment of such objects..."

The Diocese reserves the right to destroy the buildings rather than see them so used.

Canon 1222 also says the Catholic Church recognizes its relationship with other Christian ministries should be fostered and can sell the property for other Christian uses provided these groups "do not give offenses to Catholic belief and practice and do not attempt to proselytize Catholics."