Below is Bishop Caggiano’s decree regarding the merger of Holy Trinity and St. Edward the Confessor.
For a printable PDF, please click here to download.
The Most Rev. Frank J. Caggiano
By the Grace of God and the Authority of the Apostolic See
Bishop of Bridgeport
DECREE MERGING
HOLY TRINITY PARISH, SHERMAN, CT INTO
SAINT EDWARD THE CONFESSOR PARISH, NEW FAIRFIELD, CT
In virtue of the office entrusted to me, I, the Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, Fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, duly concerned with the spiritual welfare of the souls entrusted to me, zealous of avoiding everything that may be detrimental to their well-being and desiring to promote everything becoming of their progress, having engaged with the parishioners of Saint Edward the Confessor Parish, New Fairfield, CT, and Holy Trinity Parish, Sherman, CT, having prayerfully considered the information presented to me, the law and the facts and, having heard all those whose rights may be harmed (c. 50) and, having ascertained from documents and deeds and consulted those concerned that there are no major donors or heirs to be heard and, having heard the Council of Priests (c. 515 §2) on February 10, 2022 and, having determined that the good of the souls requires it,
ESTABLISH THAT
Holy Trinity Parish be merged into Saint Edward the Confessor Parish through an extinctive union. This determination has been made to strengthen the pastoral care of the people of God in this area of my diocese, to bring the full pastoral and ministerial services of Saint Edward the Confessor Parish to the people of the extinct Holy Trinity Parish, to foster collaboration between both communities and effect financial savings and enhance economic viability that will allow for future growth of Saint Edward the Confessor Parish.
Wherefore, I, the Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiirno, Bishop of Bridgeport, in virtue of canon 515 §2 of the Code of Canon Law, do hereby decree that Holy Trinity Parish, Sherman, CT be merged, through an extinctive union, into Saint Edward the Confessor Parish, New Fairfield, CT.
- I also hereby decree that all the physical property, rights, obligations and privileges of the members of Christian faithful domiciled in the territory of the extinct parish, accorded to it by law or legitimately acquired, are to be transferred to and made part of Saint Edward the Confessor Parish.
- By this extinctive union, the territorial boundary of Saint Edward the Confessor Parish is extended to include the territory of the extinct parish.
- Furthermore, the intentions of the founders and donors of the patrimony of the now extinct parish must be respected in accordance with the law (c. 121).
- All sacramental registers, seals, and parish files of the extinct parish are to be properly transferred to, preserved and safeguarded by Saint Edward the Confessor Parish in accord with the norm of law.
- The church of the extinct parish shall remain open as an additional worship site of Saint Edward the Confessor Parish.
- The Corporation of Holy Trinity Parish will remain intact in order to receive possible legacies, bequests, donations, etc.
This decree is to be communicated to the respective administrators of the two juridical persons that are being amalgamated through this extinctive union. It is also to be communicated to all interested persons, according to the norm of law (c. 532). It may be challenged within the peremptory time limit of ten (10) days from the legitimate notification of the decree and in accordance with the norm of law (c. 1734 §2).
This decree becomes effective on July 1, 2022.
Given June 29, 2022, the Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul, at the Catholic Center, Bridgeport, Connecticut.
