St. Mary Health Center Volunteers Protest Church Lockout Amid Ongoing Feud
- Mary Health Center protested outside the Basilica of Saint Mary in Wilmington, N.C., on Sunday.
- The dispute includes an eviction notice, a restraining order, and changed locks at the clinic.
- The flyers criticized Pastor Thomas Davis for lacking empathy and support for the clinic.
Protest at St. Mary Health Center in Wilmington
Volunteers from St. Mary Health Center protested outside the Basilica of Saint Mary in Wilmington, N.C., on Sunday. They handed out flyers to raise awareness about their ongoing conflict with the church.
The dispute includes an eviction notice, a restraining order, and changed locks at the clinic. “It broke my heart how they handled the situation,” said volunteer Kimberly Nunez. The church and the Diocese of Raleigh did not comment on the issue.
The flyers criticized Pastor Thomas Davis for lacking empathy and support for the clinic. The flyers stated, “The name that was a source of pride for the parish and community, St. Mary’s Dental Clinic, is gone for good.”
Joe Sweeney, a church member, organized the protest to inform others in the community. He expressed disappointment over the loss of the clinic, which provided free dental services for 30 years.
Nunez highlighted the clinic’s importance, noting it was the only location east of Raleigh for surgical dental care for low-income patients. Its closure will leave hundreds without access to care. Sweeney shared that many people depended on the clinic for urgent dental needs.
The clinic leaders are now looking for a new location near downtown Wilmington. Executive Director Laura Vinson hopes to announce the new site soon. The flyers concluded with a plea for prayers to help the clinic return to serving those in need.