Michigan parishes could close as worshippers decline and archdiocese works to ‘right

DETROIT, MI – As the number of Catholics in Southeast Michigan has dramatically decreased, the Archdiocese of Detroit is restructuring and will likely shutter some parish buildings, the Rev. Edward J. Weisenburger, Detroit archbishop, said in a letter this weekend.

“Some parish communities may see changes in how or where they gather, while others may be called to see church buildings closed — structures that have been dear to their hearts for generations,” he wrote.

In recent decades, Catholics ministered by the archdiocese have dropped from about 1.5 million to about 900,000. Fewer are attending mass or participating in the sacraments and because of aging and retirements, the number of priests is declining, the archdiocese reports.

Today, 67% of parishes have fewer than 600 weekly ma