Credit: Jeff Bohen/LevittownNow.com
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced this week that they will begin a self study of 46 parishes throughout the area – 9 in the Levittown area – that will determine whether they have “the resources necessary to accomplish their roles in the mission of Christ while remaining sustainable and vibrant faith communities.”
Below are a list of the local Catholic parishes that will take part in the review:
- Saint Ann, Bristol
- Saint Mark, Bristol
- Saint Thomas Aquinas, Croydon
- Immaculate Conception BVM, Levittown
- Our Lady of Grace, Penndel
- Queen of the Universe, Levittown
- Saint Frances Cabrini, Fairless Hills
- Saint Joseph the Worker, Fallsington
- Saint Michael the Archangel, Levittown
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“The process would result in three possible outcomes: parish mergers; no change in structure, with a plan for future sustainability; or a recommendation for future study,” an article on Philly.com says.
The archdiocese said the study will look at demographic, financial and spiritual activity followed by consultation with parish leadership and parishioners. Over the past decade, many area Catholic churches have been faced with declining donations and attendance.
The Archdiocesan Strategic Planning Committee will take part in the overview of the region’s parishes. The committee is made up of lay persons, priests and church staff.
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The study has been rumored in area parishes over the past few months.
According to the Philadelphia Business Journal:
The archdiocese is $39.2 million in the red, according to the Pottstown Mercury. A spokesman for the Archdiocese said that $11.9 million of that deficit stems from legal fees related to the priest sexual abuse scandals and ensuing litigation.
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Philly.com reports some results could be announced by early 2014.
