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	Diocese May Close up to 48 Churches By David Briggs The Plain Dealer [Cleveland, OH] June 5, 2007 http://www.cleveland.com/living/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/living-0/1181032876194430.xml&coll=2 The Cleveland Catholic Diocese could close about 20 percent of its parishes, or up to 48 churches, nearly twice the number originally estimated. The City of Cleveland will take the hardest hit with a potential loss of up to 25 churches. Among the 69 regional clusters in the diocese, other closings will occur in Akron, Lorain and inner-ring suburbs such as Lakewood and Euclid. The diocese continues to decline to identify the clusters ordered last week by Bishop Richard Lennon to plan to close or merge churches. At the time, the diocese said at least 23 of its 231 parishes would close by 2010. But parish officials disclosed that 14 of Cleveland's 15 clusters will probably close or merge churches. Many could lose half. Two clusters consisting of Epiphany, St. Cecilia and Our Lady of Peace; and St. Catherine, St. Timothy and St. Henry, could each lose two churches. Only the three-church cluster including the bishop's seat, St. John Cathedral, is being spared. Some opposition to the plan is developing. Ward 11 Councilman Michael Polensek is urging council leaders to request a meeting with Lennon. In a letter to City Council President Martin Sweeney, Polensek said the diocese is embarking on "a suburban strategy" that will lead to a greater migration out of the city "and an increase in disinvestment." "Many Catholics, including myself, are angry," Polensek said. "We have seen the church spend millions of dollars to settle claims of sexual abuse within the diocese, while at the same time churches and schools, which we need for our spiritual and educational well-being, are now being considered for closure." Others are hopeful. The Rev. Joseph McNulty, pastor of St. Augustine Church in Tremont, said Monday he takes heart in Lennon's mandate to city parishes to find ways to expand and develop social services to the community.
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