Deaf Parishioners Hope To Save Church On Archdiocese's Chopping Block

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A church on the Upper East Side is the only one in the Archdiocese of New York that has a priest fluent in sign language.

But as CBS2's Matt Kozar reported, Church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary is among 31 churches slated to close in August.

It is set to merge with nearby St. Monica's as part of the archdiocese's plan to reorganize due to financial issues, smaller parishes, and fewer priests.

"It's reminding people what Pope Francis is always talking about: there are people on the margins that need to be served," said Msgr. Patrick McCahill, who holds Mass in sign language.

Deaf parishioners come from far and wide, including Margaret Arnold, who's in the choir that performed for Pope Benedict.

"I'm not used to talking to anybody for the whole week until I come here, and we talk and I really enjoy that," Arnold said.

A spokesperson for the archdiocese said if the new church doesn't fit the needs of the deaf parishioners at St. Elizabeth then another will be found that does, Kozar reported.

"My question with that is the deaf are going to be moving in, they're going to be second class citizens," McCahill said.

At St. Elizabeth's, deaf parishioners call the shots, socialize and study religion.

"This is really unique. If this closes, we'll have to start all over again. If it closes, maybe the whole thing will fall apart," Arnold said.

Kal Chany, who is not hearing impaired, filed an appeal with the Vatican.

"We're financially solvent. We have adequate reserves and the building is in good shape," said Chany, who is a church trustee.

Deaf parishioners are hoping Cardinal Timothy Dolan feels and hears their pleas.

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