Mystery donor answers prayers of Newfoundland town that fought to keep its church

ST. JOHN’S — Residents of a rural Newfoundland community who once locked the doors to their church to block its sale are celebrating this month after a mystery donor bought the building for them.

Cynthia Power, chair of the historical corporation in Portugal Cove South, N.L., was emotional as she described the relief and gratitude she felt as the keys to the Holy Rosary Church were placed in her hands last month.

“Literally, our prayers were answered,” she said in a recent interview. “I can easily say I prayed a lot for a good outcome in this since it all started.”

The church was among dozens of properties listed for sale by the Roman Catholic archdiocese in St. John’s, N.L., as part of bankruptcy proceedings to compensate survivors of clergy abuse. Members of the historical corporation