As many as 20 Roman Catholic churches may close in SouthernIllinois in a restructuring effort to consolidate parishes.
"As we give thanks for the past we must plan for the future,taking into account the realities of the present," the Rev. EdwardBraxton, bishop of the Diocese of Belleville, recently wrote in aletterto parishioners in his diocese, which spans 28 counties.
"A numberof factors indicate that we need to consolidate some of ourparishes if we hope to have strong and vital Catholic communitiesin the years to come. I know how much you love the church and your parish. I amconfident that this love will sustain and guide all of us as weundertake this important process."
Braxton said in the letter that 70,000 active Catholics in thediocese attend 117 parishes.
Some of the churches are vibrant, buthe said others are small, close together and face "very seriousfinancial challenges."
Braxton said he hasn't decided which parishes will close.
Therestructuring plan is still under consultation.
A spokesman for the diocese reportedly said that the recent $6.3 million payout to a priest sex abuse victim did notmotivate the consolidation plan.
"Some of you have told me that our diocese should have begun theprocess of parish restructuring a long time ago," Braxton said inthe letter.
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