Sts peter and Paul Church

Paul Hayes, Conservative councillor for Wallasey, said the Vatican’s ruling “is unprecedented in its criticism of the Diocese of Shrewsbury and it is unequivocal in its assertion that, in  closing the iconic church of Saint Peter and Paul’s, the Diocese has broken church law”.

“The Diocese may cling onto the fact that the decree declares they have stuck to the rules in terms of procedure, however we all know that church law is much more than a set of procedural rules. The decree is quite clear that by closing the church a negative impact has been made upon the "good of souls" and therefore church law has been broken.

“As the Diocese assured parishioners via a written undertaking that they would abide by the decision of the Vatican, the church doors should now be open. However, it is clear that the Diocese will not honour their undertaking and therefore I am fully supportive of moves by parishioners to launch the further legal action to ensure the Diocese abides by their written agreements.”

But Fr John Joyce, spokesman for the Diocese of Shrewsbury, said they had received the communication of the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy “confirming that the procedures for closing the church of Ss Peter and Paul, New Brighton, were carried out correctly”.

He said: “In addition, it also notes that the primary concern, which it shares, is that the Catholic community should have a permanent place of worship.

“Everything will be done to achieve this objective.”