Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announces parish reductions
The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh plans to greatly reduce the number of its parishes, consolidating many of them across Western Pennsylvania into “groupings” that will merge neighboring churches together.
The diocese plans to shrink the number of parishes from 188 to 57 across a six-county region because of a shifting population, shortage of priests and people turning away from Mass, Bishop David Zubik announced April 28, adding there were no immediate plans to close churches.
“Until then, as we prepare to undertake these new models for parish life, I will rely on the cooperation, understanding and patience of all involved as we make this important decision,” Zubik said at a news conference at St. Paul Seminary in Pittsburgh’s East Carnegie neighborhood.
“I truly believe that change can bring new life and joy,” Zubik said.
The changes were also announced at the weekend Masses, and they will require many of the new parish groupings to make difficult decisions as to which church buildings they can afford to keep open in the years to come. The new groupings will take place in mid-October, when new clergy assignments and Mass schedules also will take effect.
Zubik initially said in May 2017, the 188 parishes would be divided into 49 groups. The number of groupings changed to 48 in September. He said Saturday the number was increased to 57 because some of the groupings had too many churches in them. At one time, the Pittsburgh region had 344 parishes, he said.
The diocese currently has 200 priests and that number will drop to 125 in seven years, Zubik said.
He said the diocese does not have a goal on how many of its 225 church buildings will close under the sweeping restructuring plan.
Some groupings might not see the shuttering of buildings if they can make a compelling case to keep them all, he said.
“I know that this change will require us – the faithful, the clergy and myself – to let go of some things that are precious and familiar,” Zubik said.
“I am also convinced that our clergy and faithful have what it takes to form deep and lasting relationships within their groupings and to create welcoming communities,” he said.
Some of the local groupings include:
- Grouping 15: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Margaret of Scotland and SS. Simon and Jude
- Grouping 16: St. Bernard and Our Lady of Grace
- Grouping 21: St. Anne and St. Winifred
- Grouping 22: St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin, St. Germaine, Nativity and St. Valentine
- Grouping 23: St. Benedict the Abbot, St. Francis of Assisi and St. Isaac Jogues
- Grouping 24: St. Joan of Arc and St. Louise De Marillac
- Grouping 25: St. John Capistran and St. Thomas More
- Grouping 26: St. Barbara, Holy Child and St. Mary
A digital version of the announcement can be found at www.diopitt.org/onmission