The Diocese of Buffalo has unveiled its final list of which churches and parishes will close or merge across Western New York. 

After Tuesday's announcement by Bishop Michael Fisher and other leaders, the total number of parishes in the Diocese of Buffalo is 79 with 39 secondary worship sites, for a total number of places that people can worship at 118. This is a reduction in parishes by 51% and a reduction in worship sites in the Diocese of Buffalo by 40%.

There are also approximately 13 churches on a watch list.

The closures are slated to take place between October and June 2025.

"Believe me, I understand the pain [and] the sadness," said Fisher. "But also I've experienced the joy of what it means to be a part of our church and a parishioner."

"So there is all sorts of canon law to make sure we are open to all offers and all possibilities, but we have to follow the canon law when it comes to each offer that comes before us," Rev. Bryan Zielenieski said during a news conference. "But nothing is being restricted as to what can possibly be used at each location and those sales."

As for the closing parishes with schools, those schools will stay open for now. The diocese has a team in place creating a strategic school plan, which officials hope to roll out this fall. 

As for the churches that will close, those buildings will eventually be sold. 

A meeting will be held in one week, in which representatives from each closing parish will decide when their church will close its doors for good.

A decline in parishioner attendance, a shortage of priests, the clergy abuse scandal and a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing were all reasons cited for the closures.

The complete list of parishes and sites to close or merge is as follows: