Parish Closures
The Latest
‘Harsh realities’: Diocese of Buffalo announces final list of parish mergers, closures
Buffalo Bishop Michael Fisher had announced in May that an estimated 34% of the diocese’s parishes would be merged in... Read more
Vatican halts some parish closures in St. Louis following appeals
As part of the archdiocese’s major pastoral planning initiative, the archbishop announced that the number of parishes would be reduced... Read more
No closures recommended for St. Louis Catholic elementary schools, archdiocese says
Pastors at each of the 25 Catholic elementary schools eyed for closure earlier this year have recommended that their schools... Read more
New Orleans Archdiocese to close 10% of parishes, merge others
This consolidation is the archdiocese's largest restructuring plan since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Read more
Vatican agrees to review closures of two St. Louis parishes amid archdiocesan restructuring
Both parishes had been subsumed into others in recent months, creating new parish groupings. Read more
One-third of St. Louis Catholic schools face possible closure
The schools being considered for closure were chosen based on enrollment numbers, demographic trends, financial strength, and other factors. Read more
Chicago archdiocese announces new groupings from parish mergers
As part of its “Renew My Church” initiative the Archdiocese of Chicago recently announced 12 new parish groupings. By July,... Read more
Black parishes in Chicago closing disproportionately due to low attendance, official says
Amid a plan to merge and close dozens of parishes, the Archdiocese of Chicago has disproportionately closed parishes that minister... Read more
Pittsburgh diocese announces first wave of parish mergers
The Diocese of Pittsburgh has announced the first results of a sweeping reorganization of its parishes, creating five new parishes... Read more
Catholics desperate to save 9/11 chapel in New York
On September 11, 2001, Justine Cuccia was nine months pregnant when she watched in horror as two hijacked planes crash... Read more
Pain and growth as Archdiocese of New York reorganizes
The parishioners at Holy Innocents were relieved to hear that their parish will remain open following concerns that it might... Read more
Philadelphia archdiocese announces 24 parishes to merge
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia on Sunday announced the merger of 24 parishes into 10, saying the changes will “ultimately strengthen... Read more
Philadelphia parish closing because of low attendance, safety issues
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput has approved the closure of a Philadelphia parish due to low Mass attendance and a church... Read more
Wash. diocese reaches sex abuse agreement to save parishes
The Diocese of Spokane, Wash. has reached a mediation agreement in a sex abuse suit that will save parishes from... Read more
