Prot. N. 2021005
HIS EXCELLENCY
MOST REVEREND ROBERT E. GUGLIELMONE
By the Grace of God and Authority of the Apostolic See
BISHOP OF CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
DECREE RELEGATING
ST. JOSEPH CHAPEL,
HARTSVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA,
TO PROFANE BUT NOT SORDID USE
Canon 1222 §2: Where other grave causes suggest that a church no longer be used for divine worship, the diocesan bishop, after having heard the presbyteral council, can relegate it to profane but not sordid use, with the consent of those who legitimately claim rights for themselves in the church and provided that the good of souls suffers no detriment thereby.
Whereas the Holy Ghost Fathers established and operated St. Joseph Mission and School located in Hartsville, South Carolina, from 1945 until 1967; and
Whereas the Darlington County Community Action Agency had since utilized the property to operate its Head Start program; and
Whereas the Head Start program has now relocated its services to an adjacent property; and
Having considered the present condition of the St. Joseph Chapel edifice as well as the cost of repairing and maintaining said edifice for future use; and
Whereas the resources of the Diocese of Charleston are insufficient for preserving and maintaining the church, and other sources of revenue are not currently available for such purpose; and
Having considered the relative proximity of other worship communities and churches as well as the best use of available priest personnel, which further promote this decision; and
Having ensured the Catholic Faithful of Hartsville, South Carolina, are to be provided for by the Parish of St. Mary, the Virgin Mother located within Hartsville, and, therefore, the good of souls of all concerned suffers no detriment; and
Having determined that no persons can claim legitimate rights in St. Joseph Chapel; and
Having ensured the altar and all sacred objects previously located within the St. Joseph Chapel edifice have been removed; and
Wherefore, willingly desiring in all things to promote the greater glory of God and desirous of providing for the good of souls; and
Having sought and heard the counsel of the Presbyteral Council of the Diocese of Charleston on September 28, 2021; and
Having faithfully observed the requirements of the law; 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 relegate St. Joseph Chapel edifice in Hartsville, South Carolina, to profane but not sordid use, in accordance with the norms of canon 1222 §2. I further allow for the potential lease or sale St. Joseph Chapel edifice and parcel with its associated buildings, providing they are not given over to any use unworthy of its dignity as a former sacred place.
This Decree is effective beginning 1 October 2021. It is to be communicated to the faithful of the Diocese and published on the website for the Diocese of Charleston, charlestondiocese.org, which will be presumed the official notification of this action. A petition for revocation or emendation of this decree is subject to canons 1732 – 1739.
Given at Charleston, South Carolina, on the 29th day of September 2021.
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Most Reverend Robert E. Guglielmone
Bishop of Charleston
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Sr. Sandra Makowski, SSMN, JCL
Chancellor