Church Wins Suit Over Loud Prayers

County Judge Bernard Scherer sided with Holy Cross Church Friday in its suit against three women for refusing to pray quietly.

The judge said Cecelia Miscovich, Cynthia Balconi and Joan Sudwoj can return to church only if the parish priest agrees.

Scherer said the women violated the church’s property rights and broke rules established by the priest. The judge prohibited the women - known in church newsletters as the “shouting ladies” and “rosary women” - from vandalizing the church, disrupting services or distributing literature.

The trio’s motivations remained unclear even to church members and lawyers.