The Diocese of Oakland, California, announced April 28 it will close 12 parishes and one pastoral center due to declining Mass attendance and an “all-time low” number of priests across the diocese.
The closures will affect parish communities across the East Bay, with some locations either closing or consolidating into nearby parishes as part of a broader diocesan restructuring effort, according to NBC Bay Area.
The plan is part of a diocesan-wide effort called Mission Alignment Process, launched in 2021 to engage clergy and parishioners in renewal and self-reflection.
Bishop Michael Barber outlined the project in an April 28 pastoral letter titled “Aligning our reality with our mission.”
Bishop Barber said the restructuring effort follows a consultation process that identified where parishes were struggling most, adding that the broader effort must begin with renewal of missionary work and prayer.
The bishop also pointed to the diocese’s ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, adding that the diocese is currently seeking court approval for its proposed plan of reorganization. He emphasized that although the restructuring will require sacrifice, the diocese cannot allow nostalgia to “hold back the message of the Gospel.” He added that the Church has “never been solely a building” and that “the faith of our people will continue, just in a different place and with new people.”
NBC Bay Area also reported that the challenges come amid 15 years of declining Mass attendance, Catholic school enrollment, and the number of priests. The timeline for closures is set to vary by parish. The bishop urged the faithful in the diocese to support and welcome those who are affected by the closures.