Vatican Approves Church Merger BUFFALO (wned) - For the second time in just a few months, Church officials in Rome have agreed with Bishop Edward Kmiec's decision to merge St. Adalbert and St. John Kanty.

The Vatican's highest canonical court notified the Diocese earlier this week that it has upheld a December ruling by the Congregation for the Clergy and the Court has rejected the latest appeal made by some parishoners of St. Adalbert.

Diocesan Spokesman Kevin Keenan says now it's up to the parishes to set a timetable for moving forward.

In the meantime, Rome will be hearing from more Western New York Catholics who are not happy with Bishop Kmiec's restructuring plans.

The Diocese has been notified that parishoners of St. Mary in Lockport and Transfiguration in Olean have decided to appeal their proposed mergers.

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