Vatican Upholds Bishop Bonnar’s Decision on Mother of Sorrows Church in Ashtabula

The Dicastery for Clergy in Rome has upheld Bishop David J. Bonnar’s decision to relegate Mother of Sorrows Church in Ashtabula to profane but not sordid use. The Vatican rejected an appeal from local parishioners who sought to overturn the bishop's decree. In its review, the dicastery concluded that Bishop Bonnar followed the Code of Canon Law.

Bishop Bonnar issued the original decree on October 2, 2025, following requests from the pastoral and finance councils of Our Lady of Peace Parish. The decision took effect on November 30, 2025. The diocese cited structural issues and ceiling damage as the reasons for the change in the building's status. At the time of the decree, repairing the entire ceiling was estimated to cost $4.75 million, and repairs to specific sections offered no guarantee of sufficiency. The decree also noted other structural problems caused by the settling of the building.