By JEFF STITT
Fifteen groupings of parishes in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, some of which include groupings in the Mon Valley, will merge July 1 to create new parishes, Bishop David Zubik announced Wednesday.
Sixty-one parishes in Allegheny and Washington counties are part of the mergers.
The mergers — which don’t call for any church building closures — advance a years-long restructuring effort by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. The strategic planning initiative has been dubbed “On Mission for The Church Alive!” It aims to make the most of dwindling resources and respond to mounting financial woes with more than half of parishes losing money.
Each of the mergers was requested by the priest-administrator of the grouping after extensive consultation with parishioners. Zubik consulted with and received consent from the diocesan Priest Council and Vicars General before approving each request.
“This has not been a simple task. … You are positioning your new parish for more effective ministry by addressing financial needs, sharing resources and allowing your clergy to focus on the spiritual work for which they were ordained,” Zubik said.
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