Catholic Diocese of Peoria announces reorganization

Posted on May 20, 2024

*The restructuring is set to begin July 1 and may continue through 2027. (Facebook/Diocese of Peoria)*

PEORIA – The Catholic Diocese of Peoria announced restructuring to their parishes and worship sites on Saturday due to the declining number of priests.

According to their website, the Catholic Diocese of Peoria will be reduced from 156 parishes to 75 parishes by merging 12 parishes into neighboring parishes and 107 parishes coalescing into 38 new parishes.

The Diocese attributed the decline in priests to national trends regarding religion and a changing regional and diocesan landscape. For those reasons, the decision was made to reorganize the parishes.

The new parishes will have oversight from 71 diocesan priests and religious order pastors. Many will serve multiple parishes. In addition, 39 new priest assignments are expected to come into the fold.

The restructuring is set to begin July 1 and may continue through 2027.

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