ST. LOUIS — The Archdiocese of St. Louis released a new draft proposal that would merge about half of its 178 individual parishes.
In response to a decline in the St. Louis area Catholic population, a restructuring initiative called “All Things New” by the Archdiocese began in 2021.
After gathering feedback from communities and religious leaders through surveys and listening sessions, the Archdiocese put together second draft models that reflect the input received, according to a press release.
Fifteen draft models show consolidating 178 parishes into 88 pastorates, a community that is under one pastor and pastoral team.
Much of the consolidation of parishes are in north and south St. Louis City and north St. Louis County.
Not every pastorate will have the same structure because of stipulations and requirements of the Church’s law, according to the press release.
Here are the scenarios:
An individual parish may remain its own pastorate, but may have to adapt some of its ministries and Mass times due to priest availability.
Two or more parishes may remain financially independent of each other but will become a new pastorate, sharing one pastor and pastoral team.
Parishes merge their resources together and become a new pastorate under one pastor and pastoral team.
Next steps are gathering input on the second draft models from priests and key parish leaders, having final feedback submitted by pastors on behalf of parishes.
Archbishop Rozanski will announce the final plan on Pentecost, May 28.
To view the draft models, click here.
