Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., has decreed that Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church in Fall River and Sacred Heart Church in Fall River be relegated to profane but not sordid use. These actions were taken in accord with Canons 1212 and 1222, §2 of the Code of Canon Law. The decrees were given December 22, 2014 and will take effect on Tuesday, January 13, 2015.

Relegation to profane use is a term used in Church law when a Church building is converted from sacred uses to secular uses and will no longer be used for Catholic liturgical worship.

The former Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish and the former Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish, both in Fall River, were joined in 2012 to become Saint Bernadette Parish in that city. The former Sacred Heart Parish in Fall River was united with the Parish of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, also in Fall River, in 2014. In accordance with Canon Law, the decision of the Bishop to issue the decrees on Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church and Sacred Heart Church followed consultation with the pastor of Saint Bernadette Parish and the then-pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, the respective parish’s leadership, and the Presbyteral Council of the Fall River Diocese.

To access the decree on Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church, please CLICK HERE.

To access the decree on Sacred Heart Church, please CLICK HERE.

Diocese of Fall River
Diocese of Fall River
Office of Communications