Philadelphia archdiocese announces 24 parishes to merge

Catholic News Service
June 4, 2013

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia on Sunday announced the merger of 24 parishes into 10, saying the changes will “ultimately strengthen parish communities.”

“It is hoped that the result will be revitalized parishes throughout the archdiocese that are better equipped to meet the spiritual and pastoral needs of future generations,” the archdiocese said June 2.

Parishioners at the merging parishes were told about the changes at weekend Masses and in mailed letters. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput approved of the changes, which were recommended by the archdiocese’s strategic planning committee.

The archdiocese said the mergers were driven by factors including demographic change, a decrease in Mass attendance, a lack of priests to staff the parishes, and “increasing economic challenges.”

The merged parishes are in a dense urban environment and most are under three miles from each other. Some parish churches are one mile or less from each other. Mergers affecting five other parishes were announced last week.

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Across the archdiocese, the mergers mean parishioners will attend daily and Sunday Mass at the church of the newly formed parish. The former parish church will remain open and maintained as a worship site. The pastor and the newly formed parish council may decide to use the former parish church for Sunday Mass.

Parish pastors may choose to use the sites for weddings, funerals, feast days, religious devotions and ethnic celebrations “for the time being,” the archdiocese said.

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The archdiocese’s pastoral planning initiative will consider the future of more parishes in fall 2013.

Several dozen Philadelphia Catholic schools have closed in recent years due to factors that include declining enrollment.

full article at Catholic News Service