Parishoners plan protest march at Westminster Cathedral as part of three-pronged campaign following closure of SS Peter and Paul’s

Aug 20 2008 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

st peter and pauls

PARISHIONERS are planning a protest march at Westminster Cathedral after bidding a tearful goodbye to SS Peter and Paul’s at the weekend.

More than 350 people filled the iconic New Brighton church on Sunday to see Father John Feeney preside over a final Sunday service.

From next week, Catholic masses will be held at the Anglican All Saints Church under a controversial sharing agreement agreed with the diocese of Chester.

Campaigners in the SOUL (Save Our Unique Landmark) group say they will now step up their battle with three approaches:

l A challenge under civil law

l Asking the Charities Commission to look at the use of money donated to the church

l Asking the Vatican to investigate under Canon (church) law

One News reader who attended the service said: “The church was packed on both occasions and not a comment was made about this debacle of a closure.

“No thanks to anyone, no sympathy for all the pain that has been inflicted on this community.

“The people of New Brighton have been scandalised by this un-Christian behaviour towards young and old, many of whom were in tears today.”

New Brighton councillor and SOUL supporter Tony Pritchard said: “It was a very sad day for New Brighton and a lot of people there couldn’t believe it had come to this.

“We’re looking to a three-pronged approach and at the moment we’re planning a protest march at Westminster Cathedral with our petition, which already has 4,000 signatures.

“The campaign hasn’t stopped just because they’ve closed the church.”

The diocese of Shrewsbury said the decision to close the church would stand despite the protests.