Vatican accepts two recourse petitions for review

The Vatican Dicastery for Clergy court advised Bishop Walker Nickless this week that the court has received two requests for recourse regarding parish mergers.

Former parishioners of St. Joseph Parish in Granville petitioned for hierarchical recourse against the bishop’s decree from Oct. 15, 2024, merging St. Joseph with St. Mary Parish in Alton and St. Anthony of Hospers by extinctive union, forming St. Donatus Parish, based in Alton.

Former parishioners of St. Anthony Parish in Hospers also petitioned for hierarchical recourse against the Oct. 15, 2024, decree erecting St. Donatus Parish.

The dicastery requested the bishop’s response to the petitions within 15 days of receipt of the notice.  Bishop Nickless, still head of the diocese, has been given the opportunity to participate in the recourse process with the dicastery and has indicated he will respond accordingly.