Priest Shortage Forces Churches to Close Churches in Eastern Connecticut to Consolidate, WFSB, July 14, 2008

Priest Shortage Forces Churches to Close
Churches in Eastern Connecticut to Consolidate

WFSB
July 14, 2008

http://www.wfsb.com/news/16881715/detail.html

[with video]

NORWICH, Conn. -- A lack of priests is forcing several Connecticut churches to close their doors.

Five churches in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich will close by Sept. 1, according to Bishop Michael Cote.

Cote said the five parishes will consolidate with the remaining 12 churches.

Saint Augustine's Church in Canterbury is among the churches that is being targeted to share a priest or to join a

nearby parish.

Michael Stramiello, the director of communications for the diocese said that the process of consolidating churches began more than three years ago.

"Until the present decline of priestly vocations is stemmed, we have not other course," Cote said in a written statement.

Churches To Close:

St. Joseph Mission Church in Sterling
St. Ignatius Parish Church in Killingly
Our Lady Of Peace Mission Church in East Killingly
Sacred Heart Mission Church in Thompson
St. Anne Church in Ballouville

Seven churches in the diocese will be yoked, permitting them to remain open and collaborate ministries under one priest.

Yoked Parishes:

All Hallows Parish in Moosup will be yoked with Sacred Heart Parish in Wauregan.
Until it closes, St. Anne Parish will be joined with St. Joseph Parish in Dayville.
St. Joseph Parish in North Grosvenordale will be yoked with St. Stephen Parish in Quinebaug.