YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Bishop of the Youngstown Catholic Diocese, George Murry announced that he would agree to move Cardinal Mooney High School from its current location in Youngstown on two conditions.

In a news release issued by the diocese on Tuesday, the Bishop said he would support a move if the results of a financial feasibility study indicate that there is sufficient financial support for a new school building, as well as support for an endowment fund for scholarships for financially needy students.

The release described the new location of Mooney as a "suitable location" in the southern tier of Mahoning county. Back in April it was reported that the school was considering a location in the Boardman area, but no final decision had been made.

According to the release, the decision to move is based on the recommendation of the five-member committee which the Bishop established to review all of the information concerning Cardinal Mooney.

Tuesday's decision is a reversal the Bishop's edict of June 4, where he said it would better serve the school's mission to serve the community by remaining on the city's south side, rather than a suburban location.

But in July, Bishop Murry announced that he was reconsidering the position to stay in Youngstown after learning new information about possibly prohibitive costs of asbestos remediation at the existing school building on Erie Street.

The statement says that the Bishop also consulted with the executive committees of both Ursuline High School and the Cardinal Mooney High School Board of Directors about the possibility of a merger of the two schools.

Sixth Ward Councilwopman Janet Tarpley, who argued for Cardinal Mooney to stay in the area because it would help stabilize the community, said that she was disappointed in the decision and would not comment further. 

Both executive committees did not think that a merger was a viable option. The five-member committee also did not support a merger of the two schools.

Dr. Nicholas Wolsonovich, Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools, stated that Fr. Gerald DeLucia, president of Cardinal Mooney High School, and its Board of Directors will begin moving forward to carry out the Bishop's directives.

The President and Board will develop an overall plan for the new building, including a funding plan and an endowment fund.