PEORIA, Ill. – The Catholic Diocese of Peoria announced over the weekend a restructuring of its parishes and worship sites due to a declining number of local priests.
According to the Catholic Diocese of Peoria website, the Diocese will reduce the number of parishes from 156 to 75, by merging 12 parishes into nearby parishes and 107 parishes merging into 38 new parishes.
These parishes will be overseen by 71 priests and religious order pastors. 39 new priests will also be assigned to the Diocese.
The Diocese says the decline in available priests reflects national trends regarding organized religion and a changing landscape for the Catholic Church.
Bishop Lou Tylka announced on Saturday that restructuring of the Diocese will begin in July and could continue through 2027, with many priests serving multiple parishes.
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