Parish merger
The Latest
Vatican grants 14 New York churches delay on mergers amid challenges to bishop’s plan
More than a dozen parishes in the Diocese of Buffaloj, New York, have received a temporary reprieve from the Vatican... Read more
Diocese of Buffalo to merge a third of its parishes
Buffalo Bishop Michael Fisher said in a May 28 video statement that 34% of its parishes — about 55 —... Read more
Peoria Diocese to reduce the number of parishes in the diocese by half
Bishop Louis Tylka announced on Saturday that between now and May 2026, the diocese will be reshaped from 156 parishes... Read more
Baltimore Archdiocese announces major restructuring that will merge dozens of parishes
The plan, detailed on the archdiocese’s website, would reduce the total number of “worship sites” in the city from 59... Read more
Seattle Archdiocese announces plan to merge parishes
A shortage in priests and resources compelled the archdiocese to restructure. 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
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
St. Louis parishes dodge closure by appealing to the Vatican
Seven parishes plan to send appeals to the Vatican, putting the mergers planned for the parishes on hold until the... Read more
St. Louis Archdiocese reorganization will cut parishes from 178 to 134
The plan, called “All Things New,” closes 35 churches, merges their parishes into neighboring parishes, and merges 15 others into... Read more
St. Louis Catholics petition archbishop to halt diocese-wide parish merger plan
A group of over 3,000 Catholics in the Archdiocese of St. Louis hopes to stave off the merger of numerous... Read more
Decline in vocations to the priesthood is worse where priests serve larger flocks, report says
The study found that there are fewer new vocations in large dioceses where priests do not have a chance to... Read more
Seattle archdiocese says parishes must merge due to decline in number of Catholics
“With all of the changes that we’re facing today — globally, culturally and within the Church — it’s very clear... 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
Diocese of Pittsburgh announces its third round of parish mergers
The Diocese of Pittsburgh has announced that it will initiate its third round of parish mergers early next year, reducing... 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
Hartford archdiocese works to guide faithful through parish merger
Important decisions loom ahead as the Archdiocese of Hartford preps its reorganization plan, a reconstruction and consolidation of parishes throughout... Read more
