19 Catholic parishes in west, south suburbs could be closed or merged

Months after the Diocese of Joliet announced the its bishop is signating that another 19 parishes in the west and southwest suburbs and beyond could be on the chopping block or face mergers.Bishop Ron Hicks’ office said a restructuring is need fof reasons including a lack of priests and “budget issues.” how much of a factor the decades-long child sex abuse scandal that has led to millions of dollars in legal payouts played into their financial challenges.The diocese’s website lists more than 70 credibly clerics deemed to have been credibly accused of sexual abuse. The Joliet Diocese once wasone of the epicenters of the crisis that tore apart the church coast to coast.Some of the 19 churches could be closed, and some could be consolidated as part of a process now underway, officials say.“Parishioners’ connections to their parishes are both spiritual and emotional,” Hicks aide Maureen Harton said in a written statement. “However, change is inevitable and necessary to adapt to trends and circumstances that are happening in our diocese, in the United States and in the universal church. As we approach the third phase in this restructuring process, the hope is that by pruning some of the branches, we as a diocese can continue to thrive and grow.”Joliet Bishop Ron Hicks.Diocese of JolietHere are the churches being studied:St. Mark in WheatonGoogle MapsA church official who did not want to be named but is familiar with the closure process said they’ve been “disillusioned” by Hicks’ handling of church operations.“The bishop is cutting deals and those who end up suffering are the people because the bishop isn’t the one who built these churches and neither are the priests, it’s the people,” the official said.In 2023, the diocese began evaluating 16 parishes in and near Joliet, and earlier this year announced that would close.Sacred Heart Church, Joliet’s , was among those slated to close its doors.The Archdiocese of Chicago has closed 26 parishes since 2022 — two of them closed this year. St. Alexander in Villa ParkGoogle Maps