Shuttered Churches/Parish Consolidation

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The vast majority of the geographical area of my diocese is rural. Most of the parish churches are in more urban or suburban areas though. Keep in mind that my diocese is very small relative to many dioceses in the States.
 
Sacred silence was once requested here. Instead we get the silly song Sacred Silence from time to time.
 
I read some articles at Voice of America (voanews.com) a few months ago, where this consolidation was happening in rural Iowa.

When I was a kid, some time ago, the school part of the Church shut down.
 
My older, US diocese has closed about 45 percent of its parishes in past 25 years. But it is hard to “count” or compare. Often two parishes are open, but they share a pastor, and perhaps other staff. Or two parishes are merged but retain some identity as worship sites.

Unfortunately as the priest shortage took hold, the diocese pulled priests out of everything else in a desperate effort to postpone closings. As a result, the great majority of priests spend the great majority of their time with seniors. Youth or young adults, especially in the outer suburbs, grow up without ever meeting a priest, except a hand shake at Confirmation.
 
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