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Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh considering consolidating several churches

PITTSBURGH — The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh is considering consolidating several churches because of dwindling membership.

Bishop David Zubik says population shifts in the greater Pittsburgh area are forcing the diocese to take a look at several local churches.

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David Thornton, a longtime Brookline resident and a Catholic, lives across the street from St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church. He says he hopes to see more interest from the community.

“I figured the ones that would be there would stay, but a lot of them are leaving,” Thornton said.

That reality is forcing the Diocese of Pittsburgh to take a look at possible consolidating five churches in the Brookline and Beechview neighborhoods.

That includes St. Pius X, Our Lady of Loreto and Resurrection in Brookline, along with St. Catherine of Siena and St. Pamphilus in Beechview.

Membership across those five parishes has dropped about 18 percent over the last five years.

Bishop Zubik tells Channel 11 said the population shift is forcing the diocese to make some tough decisions.

“I think we have to be wise how we use our resources. Not only financial resources, but most important of all, how we use our personnel resources,” Bishop Zubik said.

Zubik says no decision is imminent, and the diocese will continue to gather input from the community.

“When people take a look at how can they best use their resources, I don’t think that the bottom line is a negative. I think it’s a positive because people are looking for new ways that they can in fact be church,” Bishop Zubik said.

Zubik says community input will play a key role in formulating that final decision -- one that he will ultimately make.

A community meeting is set for Wednesday at St. Pamphilus Church.

WPXI

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