Justices reject appeal from parishioners of closed church

May 16, 2016 12:00 am • Last Updated: May 16, 2016 10:33 pm

Mary Fernandes, left, and Nancy Shilts, right, and other parishioners at the church of St. Frances X. Cabrini react in the church Monday, May 16, 2016, while talking about its closing in Scituate, Mass. The Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal from parishioners who are occupying the church, which the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston closed more than a decade ago. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

BOSTON — Parishioners of a church closed by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston in 2004 say they will end their 'round-the-clock vigil now that the Supreme Court has refused to hear their case.

But the parishioners say they intend to create an independent Catholic church without the archdiocese.

Parishioners have occupied the St. Frances X. Cabrini church in Scituate (SIH'-choo-iht) for more than 11 years.

The Supreme Court decision Monday leaves in place a judge's decision to evict the parishioners in a trespass case brought by the archdiocese.

A spokesman for the parishioners' group says they plan to start an independent Catholic church not affiliated with the archdiocese. He said they will vacate the church after a "celebration of transition" service May 29.

A spokesman for the archdiocese did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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