US EditionCatholic Diocese of Oakland to Close 13 Churches Amid Financial Woes
Bishop Michael Barber said declining attendance and 330 abuse lawsuits helped drive the reorganization plan.
- On Wednesday, the Diocese of Oakland announced it will close 13 churches across the East Bay amid a financial crisis compounded by declining attendance and sexual assault settlements.
- Declining Mass attendance and a shortage of clergy have left parishes struggling to maintain operations. Bishop Barber noted many buildings were designed for the Catholic Church of 1965 but now serve far fewer parishioners.
- An Alameda County jury ordered the diocese to pay $16 million last week in a sexual abuse lawsuit. The diocese previously filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2023 amid hundreds of abuse claims.
- Through its Mission Alignment Process, the diocese aims to refocus on missionary work and community renewal. Bishop Barber stated the organization will assist affected parish staff in finding new work.
- The diocese is currently seeking bankruptcy court approval for its proposed reorganization plan. Officials emphasized the closures are necessary because "the status quo is not sustainable nor is it serving God's people.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Catholic Diocese of Oakland to Close 13 East Bay Churches Amid Lawsuits
As the Catholic Diocese of Oakland faces mounting debt over the hundreds of child sexual assault lawsuits filed against its clergy members in recent years, the diocese announced the closure of over a dozen locations in the East Bay.
The Mercury news
East Bay TimesOakland diocese to close 13 churches across East Bay
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland plans to close 13 of its locations across the East Bay, in what it claims is a yearslong reorganization to address flagging attendance — a move that comes as the church faces a dire financial outlook d…
Diocese of Oakland to close 13 Catholic churches amid financial woes
Diocese of Oakland to close 13 Catholic churches amid financial woes The Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland announced that more than a dozen churches in the East Bay will be closing amid ongoing financial woes. The post Diocese of Oakland to close 13 Catholic churches amid financial woes appeared first on KION Central Coast.
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