A decision from the Roman Supreme Court affirming a ruling from the Diocese of Green Bay means St. Boniface Church in Manitowoc will remain closed.
This all stems from a 2019 request from Bishop David Ricken to no longer use the church and close it permanently after the six parishes in Manitowoc reformed as the St. Francis of Assisi Parish in 2005.
In a statement from the Diocese, an appeal was presented by the Dicastery from the Clergy in 2024 regarding the closure, to which a separate ruling went in favor of Ricken’s first decision to close the church.
A group of parishioners made a final appeal to Rome’s Supreme Court, which again ruled in favor of the Diocese.
Planning for the disposition of the Church, contents, and property is now underway. St. Boniface is located at S. 10th and Marshall Street and has not been used for regularly scheduled masses in over 20 years.
Part of Ricken’s decree said, “The site is no longer necessary for the care of souls in the community, and it continues to be a fiscal burden with the building and artifacts in danger of decay and damage.”
Two members of the group that want to keep the church open told Seehafernews.com in December last year that the church seemed to be in good condition.
