Church relegated to ‘profane but not sordid’ use
In accord with the prescriptions of the Code of Canon Law (canons 50 and 1222 §2) and having consulted the Priest Council, I hereby officially relegate to profane but not sordid use Immaculate Conception Church in West Alton, located at 14060 N State Route 94, West Alton MO 63386, in St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Portage Des Sioux.
Though a sacred edifice which has been given over perpetually for divine worship should retain that sacred character if at all possible, there is a grave cause which requires that Immaculate Conception Church be relegated to profane use. The grave cause is the financial impossibility of maintaining the building as a place of worship, given the need to continue to other important ministries of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Portage Des Sioux. There are no other sources of funding which would permit St. Francis of Assisi Parish to maintain Immaculate Conception Church as a place of divine worship.
Since the church has been relegated to profane but not sordid use, its altar is to be removed (canon 1238 §2).
This decree takes effect June 21, 2019. The publication of this decree in the official Archdiocesan newspaper, The St. Louis Review, will be presumed as the official notification of this action.
Anything to the contrary notwithstanding.
Given at the Archdiocesan Curia, this twenty-eighth day of May in the year of Our Lord, 2019.
Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson, Archbishop of St. Louis
