In a rare and emotionally charged turn of events, residents of Bayonne, New Jersey, have succeeded in keeping the doors of St. Andrew the Apostle Church open—thanks to an official ruling from the Vatican. The Roman Catholic church, located at the heart of Bayonne, had been slated for permanent closure by the Archdiocese of Newark, but after months of grassroots mobilization, local parishioners managed to reverse that decision by appealing directly to the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Clergy.
The church had officially closed its doors on September 22, 2024, citing declining attendance and rising maintenance costs. Since 2016, Mass attendance had fallen by more than 35%, and income had dropped by 31% following the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Archdiocese.
Adding to the challenges, essential repairs needed at both St. Andrew’s and the nearby St. Mary, Star of the Sea Church were estimated to cost over $7 million—far beyond the $3.8 million the parish had available. These dire figures pushed the Archdiocese to issue a decree for closure.
But for the community, especially lifelong parishioners, that decision was unacceptable.
A Community Refuses to Let Go
Led by Mary Borrello-Cerreta, a long-time parishioner and local advocate, a coalition of residents launched a grassroots campaign to keep the church from being shut down permanently. The group collected over 470 petition signatures and hired a canon lawyer to help make their case before Vatican officials.
The legal appeal centered on a key argument: the proceeds from the sale of the church’s former school and convent, which totaled approximately $5 million, had not been adequately considered. Advocates argued that those funds could be used to cover most of the repair costs and keep the church operating.
In addition to legal and spiritual appeals, the community received political backing. Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis, himself a parishioner of St. Andrew’s, voiced public
The Vatican Steps In
The months-long effort culminated in a dramatic victory: the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Clergy ruled that the church must not only remain open, but also undergo necessary repairs and be returned to active use.
The Vatican’s directive has now placed the responsibility on the Archdiocese of Newark to allocate over $3 million for repairs and restoration. However, the ruling also encourages the local faith community to continue raising funds and remain involved in the upkeep of the historic church.
This decision represents a rare reversal of a diocesan closure decree, especially one based on financial and attendance concerns. It underscores both the emotional value of religious landmarks and the power of community action when institutional decisions appear irreversible.
A Sacred Landmark with a New Lease on Life
St. Andrew the Apostle Church, with its classic Romanesque architecture and deep historical roots in Bayonne, has been a spiritual anchor for generations. The prospect of its closure had sent shockwaves through the community. Now, thanks to a blend of legal acumen, faith, and public pressure, it will reopen—restored and rejuvenated.
While the Archdiocese has not issued a new statement on the Vatican ruling, sources indicate that they are in the early stages of assessing how to proceed with the mandated repairs. Meanwhile, parishioners have wasted no time celebrating the victory and preparing for the church’s renewed future.