PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Catholic Bishop David Zubik announced the final parish groupings Saturday.
Zubik said Pittsburgh's 188 Catholic parishes will be grouped into 57 that will eventually merge to become new, multisite parishes. The 57 groupings are nine more than initially proposed. The changes will go into effect Oct. 15.
On Oct. 15, every one of the 188 parishes will still exist and have the same names they currently do. There will be no building closures at that time, Zubik said.
Over two, three or five years the groups will work towards merging resources and becoming on parish. During that time, recommendations will be made about any building closures.
The "first major challenge coming up over this summer is what is going to happen with Mass schedules,
Zubik said at the news conference. He said they will be published in mid-August, about two months before parish groupings come together.
The reorganization of local parishes was no surprise to parishioners of St. Louise De Marillac in Upper St. Clair. In fact, it seemed like the church had already begun the process.
TRENDING NOW:
- Body found near Allegheny River
- Driver rescued in Penn Hills after car rolls down hillside into creek
- 'You may shut the — up!': Port Authority commissioner resigns after tirade caught on dash cam
- VIDEO: Young figure skater with heart condition meets Olympians in 'Stars on Ice'
"They've already, we've merged all the bible study groups too. We've actually had ones from St. Joan of Arc come to some of ours," said St. Louise De Marillac parishioner Donna Carsoella.
The decision comes at a time when attendance at Mass locally is down 40% since 2000 and the diocese expect to lose about 90 priests over the next five years as many retire, which will affect Mass schedules as well.
The change has left some uneasiness, but most parishioners say they understand that difficult decisions must be made to keep the church sustainable.
For a complete listing of parish groupings and other information on the changes, click here.