Lithuanian nationals living in New York have lost a battle to save the Gate of Dawn Church in Manhattan, a symbolic place of worship established by emigrants nearly a century ago.
The Gate of Dawn Church was ordered shut by the New York Roman Catholic archdiocese because of low attendance and high costs.
A group of parishioners attempted to prevent the closure by challenging the archdiocese through the courts. However their appeal was recently rejected, as the court found the church belonged to the archdiocese, which was free to dispose of it.
Parishioners are now praying for intervention from the Vatican. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus raised the issue with Pope Benedict XVI during a meeting at the end of April this year. The Pontiff promised to give the matter attention.
