(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — More Catholic parishes in the west and south suburbs could be closed or consolidated.
The Diocese of Joliet — which oversees Catholic parishes in Will, DuPage, Kankakee, Kendall, Grundy, Ford and Iroquois counties — is considering whether to close or merge 19 parishes.
It comes months after the Diocese announced the closure of five churches and two schools.
Officials with the Joliet Diocese say there are a variety of reasons for the restructuring, including lower mass attendance, a lack of priests, and budget issues.
Diocesan officials have not discussed how payouts related to child sex abuse accusations against priests are related to the financial challenges.
Here’s a list of churches being studied:
Ascension of Our Lord in Oakbrook Terrace
Christ the King in Lombard
St. Alexander in Villa Park
St. John the Apostle in Villa Park
Christ the Servant in Woodridge
St. Luke in Carol Stream
St. Mark in Wheaton
Assumption in Coal City
Immaculate Conception in Braidwood
Sacred Heart in Kinsman
St. Boniface in Monee
St. Lawrence in South Wilmington
St. Lawrence O’Toole Chapel in Essex
St. Liborius in Steger
St. Mary in Park Forest
St. Mary Mission in Reddick
St. Patrick (Wilton Center) in Manhattan
St. Paul the Apostle in Peotone
St. Rose in Wilmington
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