(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Several Catholic churches and schools in the Joliet area are closing.
The Joliet Diocese said five churches and two schools are closing due to fewer mass attendees and "budgetary issues," according to Bishop Ron Hicks' office.
"This moment is of great historical significance in that the Joliet Diocese has never undertaken a project of such magnitude. The restructuring of the Joliet Deanery is deliberate, proactive, and anticipatory of the future of the Deanery based on current facts," Hicks wrote in a statement on the Diocese's website.
“As we all are aware, many things have changed in the last 50 to 60 years. We have significantly less vocations to the priesthood, our active priests are aging, and our beautiful churches that were built with labors of love and much financial sacrifice are in need of significant repairs, largely due to prolonged deferred maintenance.”
Hicks did not address the financial impact of the decades-old priest sex abuse scandal where millions of dollars were spent on legal settlements with victims.
The churches closing include St. Anne Crest Hill, and St. Anthony, Sacred Heart, St. Bernard. and St. Jude in Joliet.
School closures include St. Jude and St. Matthew.
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok