OFFICIAL: Decree of deconsecration of St. Cecilia, Sanborn

Decree of deconsecration and reduction to profane but not sordid use of St. Cecilia, Sanborn
 
Canon 1212: Sacred places lose their dedication or blessing if they have been destroyed in large part, or have been turned over permanently to profane use by decree of the competent ordinary or in fact.
 
Canon 1222 §1: If a church cannot be used in any way for divine worship and there is no possibility of repairing it, the diocesan bishop can relegate it to profane but not sordid use.

§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.

The caretakers of Saint Cecilia Church are concerned about the deteriorating state of the church. They do not use the church or the attached hall regularly. They have also noted increasing difficulty in performing the necessary active maintenance on the building. After consultation with parishioners during a town hall meeting on September 26, 2024, with the county pastoral council on November 7, 2024, and with the parish finance council on November 8, 2024, the Pastor, Rev. Kevin Richter, requested that Saint Cecilia Church in Sanborn be relegated to profane but not sordid use.
 
Wherefore:

1. Having carefully considered the law and the facts; and
2. Having heard the Presbyteral Council on December 13, 2024; and
3. Having received a request from the Pastor and from the Pastoral and Finance Councils of Sacred Heart Parish, Spencer, in whose territory the aforesaid property is now situated; and
4. Having ensured that its altar, sacred objects and religious artifacts will be properly removed from the church; and
5. Having ensured that the good of souls will suffer no detriment thereby, that is, the spiritual and pastoral good of the former parishioners of Saint Cecilia is now being provided by the Parish of Sacred Heart, Spencer;

 
I, the undersigned Bishop of Sioux City, do hereby pronounce, declare, and decree that the church of Saint Cecilia, located at 306 E 4th Street, Sanborn, is no longer a sacred place for divine worship. It has herewith lost its blessing, dedication, and consecration. It can no longer be used for divine worship. It is hereto relegated to profane but not sordid use. (c. 1222 §2).

This decree is to be communicated to the pastor of Sacred Heart, Spencer, who is the canonical representative of the parish, according to the norm of law. (c. 532). It may be challenged 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 the Seat of the Diocese of Sioux City on 13 January 2025.

 Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City
Reverend Mark J. Stoll, JCL
Chancellor