Fall River Bishop Says Some Parishes May Close or Merge Soon

FALL RIVER - Catholic churches under the Fall River Diocese will be under review for the next year and a half as part of a strategic planning process.

The Herald News reports that Bishop Edgar da Cunha of the diocese says some of those 82 parishes may have to be closed or merge with other churches as many buildings continue to deteriorate and attendance is still dropping off.

da Cunha held a press conference Thursday, and avoided talking in specifics, simply saying that a while a year-and-a-half-long strategic planning process aims to revitalize parishes, some churches may have to face the harsh reality that times are changing, and they may have to change with them.

da Cunha says over the next several weeks, he will be attending "listening sessions" throughout the diocese to hear from input from Catholics throughout the Southcoast.