Cleveland, Ohio, Jul 1, 2010 / 00:42 am
St. Emeric’s Church in Cleveland has become the 50th parish to close in a massive downsizing program announced last year.
As reasons for the program the Diocese of Cleveland has cited falling attendance, a priest shortage and financial problems. Many of the parishes were operating in the red. Some were closed and others were merged, with 174 parishes remaining in the diocese.
The closed parishes tended to be older and ethnic in character.
St. Emeric’s has served Hungarian Catholics in the city. Its parishioners have picketed outside the bishop’s office and have held Mass on the sidewalk in the rain in protest.