Ohio diocese to permanently close 3 historic churches

The Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, is permanently closing three historic churches due to demographic changes, a priest shortage, and upkeep costs.

Mother of Sorrows and Saint Joseph Churches will cease to function as churches Nov. 30, while Saint Peter of the Fields Church has already been deconsecrated, in July, according to the diocese.

Mother of Sorrows, St. Joseph, and another church in the small city of Ashtabula were consolidated into a single parish in 2011, continuing to use all three church buildings while sharing one pastor. The three buildings are within 2 miles of each other.

Louie Parco, a parishioner at Mother of Sorrows who grew up altar serving there, according to News 5 Cleveland, said that the church building “means a lot to the people around here.” 

“I hope they don’t tear it down,” Parco said. 

Mother of Sorrows’ roof needs costly repairs, while Saint Peter of the Fields is suffering from severe water damage, according to the diocese’s statement.

The outlet reports that the diocese said in a statement that Saint Joseph Church has “several needs to be addressed, however, due to the decline of the neighborhood, it was necessary to institute a sign-up procedure to safeguard parishioners and parish property for weekly prayer.”

Monsignor John Zuraw says that keeping these parishes open isn’t realistic given these repair needs, especially when the Church is shrinking and so few priests are available to handle the diocese’s pastoral needs.

“With the decline of population, we are doing our best effort to consolidate these parishes so that people continue to worship and continue to be a part of vibrant communities,” said Monsignor Zuraw, according to News 5 Cleveland. “We have 45 active priests, but there are 68 parishes so many of us are doubling up or some of our priests are even having ministries in three areas.”

Bishop David Bonnar of Youngstown told his flock that despite the “painful” realities they face, Catholics in the diocese are still called to follow Christ.

“The Church is more than bricks and mortar,” he said, according to the diocese. “The Church is the people of God living out their faith as a community of believers in Jesus Christ continuing his mission of love and mercy.”

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