EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) _ Fifteen Catholic churches in southwestern Indiana are being consolidated into six parishes by church leaders.
Evansville diocese Bishop Charles Thompson announced the merger plan Friday, but said that none of the churches involved are being closing under the reorganization plan. Thompson says pastors at each parish will determine when Masses will be held at the individual churches.
The plan includes merging six Evansville churches into three parishes and five Vincennes churches into a single parish. Diocese officials say the mergers will take effect over the next two years.
Many Catholic churches around the country have faced closure in recent years because of factors including declining Mass attendance and fewer priests.
