Prat. N. 2021001
HIS EXCELLENCY MOST REVEREND
ROBERT E. GUGLIELMONE
By the Grace of God and Authority of the Apostolic See
BISHOP OF CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
DECREE ERECTING THE PERSONAL PARISH OF
OUR LADY OF LA VANG
GREER, SOUTH CAROLINA
Canon 515 §2: It is only for the diocesan bishop to erect, suppress, or alter parishes. He is neither to erect, suppress, nor alter notably parishes, unless he has heard the presbyteral council.
Canon 518: When it is expedient, however, personal parishes are to be established by reason of the rite, language, or nationality of the Christian faithful of some territory, or even for some other reason.
Whereas the Quasi-Parish of Our Lady of La Vang was established in 2014 to meet the growing spiritual needs of the Vietnamese Catholic Faithful in Greenville and Spartanburg Counties, South Carolina, with the intent that it would one day evolve into a personal parish; and
Whereas this vibrant community has continued to flourish; and
Wherefore, willingly desiring in all things to promote the greater glory of God and desirous of providing for the good of souls; and
Whereas having ascertained that there is sufficient means and resources for the support of the Pastor and for the proper maintenance of the temporal goods of the Parish; and
Having sought and heard the counsel of the Presbyteral Council of the Diocese of Charleston on May 18, 2021; and
Having faithfully observed the requirements of the law; and
To Provide more suitably for the spiritual and pastoral care of souls; and
Invoking the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and of His Mother, the Ever-Blessed Virgin Mary,
I, the undersigned Bishop of Charleston, South Carolina, exercising my ordinary power, herewith create and erect in accordance with the norms of canons 515 §2 and 518, the Personal Parish of Our Lady of La Vang, Greer, South Carolina, with all the rights, obligations, and privileges granted it by law.
This personal parish has been created and erected for the Vietnamese Catholic Faithful domiciled in Greenville and Spartanburg Counties, South Carolina.
This Parish is assigned to the Greenville Deanery.
In the allocation of patrimonial goods, rights, and obligations, equity and justice must be observed, and the intentions of founders and donors must be respected (c. 122, 1°-2°).
We concede and decree that the said Parish and Church shall enjoy all rights and privileges, which by law, parish churches possess by virtue of the universal law of the Church and the particular law and lawful customs of our Diocese.
This Decree is effective beginning 1 July 2021. It is to be communicated to the faithful of the Diocese and to the Pastor of the newly created Parish (c. 532). This decree is to be published on the website for the Diocese of Charleston, charlestondiocese.org, which will be presumed the official notification of this action. The Pastor may challenge this Decree within the peremptory time limit of ten days from the legitimate notification of the Decree and in accordance with the norm of law (c. 1734 §2).
Given at Charleston, South Carolina, on the 17th day of June 2021.
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Most Reverend Robert E. Guglielmone
Bishop of Charleston
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Sr. Sandra Makowski, SSMN, JCL
Chancellor