The Archdiocese of New Orleans is preparing to announce the consolidations of numerous parishes, WWL-TV reports. It would be the largest contraction of the Catholic church in New Orleans since 2008, when 40 parishes merged and 20 churches closed.
Consolidating parishes would allow the Archdiocese of New Orleans to sell property and raise money to pay its mounting legal bills from the church's sex abuse scandal.
WWL-TV reports the archdiocese did not respond to multiple requests for comment, but cited sources who said pastors at affected parishes will make the announcements during masses.
