BY JULIE IRWIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MORROW -- Four parish council members of St. Philip Catholic Church here said Wednesday they had either been dismissed or resigned from the council in a dispute over renovations.
The four had opposed changes to the church that include a lowered altar in the center of the room, a side chapel for the tabernacle and upholstered chairs with kneelers to replace the pews. They said the Rev. J.C. Allison, pastor of the church, told them that continued opposition was incompatible with serving on the council.
"I just couldn't comply with the requirement of supporting the renovation," said former council member Carvel Steinke. "I just told Father, "You don't have to fire me. I resign.'
"I don't have any hard feelings. I hate that it happened, but I don't have any hard feelings," Mr. Steinke said. "I don't like what's going on. I can't lie and say I'll support the new church now."
Mr. Steinke was the only one of the four who said he resigned. The other three -- Marion Ackman, Lois Westerheide and Roseann Siderits -- said Wednesday that they had been dismissed.
"We felt we could serve on parish council and continue our resistance at the same time," Mr. Ackman said.
Father Allison declined to comment.
Members of St. Philip, including the four former council members, held a meeting last week in Morrow to organize against the proposed changes.
Work on the renovations is scheduled to begin around mid-October. The project is expected to cost just under $1 million.
