Local Catholic Churches Learn Fate from Diocese, WFMZ, June 1, 2008

Local Catholic Churches Learn Fate from Diocese

WFMZ
June 1, 2008

http://wfmz.com/view/?id=275506

[with video]

Some Catholic churches in the Lehigh Valley are closing their doors due to a lack of priests, but those in Berks County seem to have been spared, at least for now. The restructuring comes after a two-year planning process. WFMZ's Stephanie Esposito reports.

The Diocese of Allentown officially announced that it will be closing 47 parishes. The Bishop of the Allentown Diocese says it wasn't an easy decision. ANGELA: We've been coming here for the last 15 years and now we have to go to a different church with a different priest also REPORTER: 47 Catholic churches in the Diocese of Allentown are closing due to a lack of priests. The Diocese had over 150 priests but expects to have only 115 by this time next year. >> Years ago when families were 6 or 8 families were thrilled when one of their sons wanted to be a priest. Now there's only 1 or 2 kids and parents, grandparents want children and grandchildren. >> REPORTER: The congregations closing down will merge with other churches and get a new name. For some, it's a difficult change. >> A lot of the Spanish people walk to church and now it'll be in a different town, but if there's a will there's a way. REPORTER: But every cloud has a silver lining. >> We'll be singing songs in German, Spanish, Lithuanian, Irish galic songs. So that's not a bad thing! REPORTER: The Diocese says it was a much needed change. >> There have been many cases where one pastor was in charge of 2, 3, or 4 congregations. REPORTER: They say it's a nationwide problem in the Catholic Church that is dealing with fallout from clergy scandals over the past few years. Leaders say it's also partially attributed to demographic shifts. >> Most of those diocese are in the Northeast or midwest where perhaps too many churches were built back in the day. >> REPORTER: The church mergers will begin in six weeks. >> Do you think you'll lose people over this? I hope not. >> REPORTER: As for the 47 empty buildings there are no official plans, but the diocese hopes other churches can make use of them.