Parishioners who recently lost appeals to the Vatican to reopen their closed Boston-area churches will continue round-the-clock vigils and plan to make a direct appeal to Pope Benedict XVI.
The leader of a parishioners' group says five parishes closed by the Archdiocese of Boston in the wake of the clergy sex abuse scandal will continue sit-ins they have held for the last five years.
Peter Borre said the parishes also will file a formal direct appeal to the Pope.
Last month, the Vatican rejected final appeals by 10 closed parishes.
The archdiocese announced the closings of dozens of churches in 2004, citing falling attendance, a priest shortage and financial problems. The archdiocese has denied the closings were a direct result of the sex abuse scandal.
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