The Supreme Court of Newfoundland has ruled in favour of the Roman Catholic Church in a dispute with ownership of its church in Portugal Cove South just outside Trepassey.

The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of St. John’s has sold off dozens of properties to settle sex abuse claims, and tried to do so on the southern Avalon. But, area residents claimed ownership of the church, and put padlocks on the doors.

However, Justice Garrett Handrigan has ruled that the RC Corporation not only owns Holy Rosary Church in Portugal Cove South, but that the local historical organization cannot interfere with the sale process.

Parishioners had argued that it, by virtue of activity over the years, including doing and covering the cost of repairs to the church, had become the rightful owner.