More Catholic parishes appeal consolidation plan
More Catholic parishes unhappy with the Archdiocese's consolidation plan have appealed the restructuring.
Parishioners at 10 of the 14 parishes slated for mergers are appealing to Archbishop John Nienstedt.
Earlier this month, the Archbishop announced plans to streamline the parish structure and reduce the number of Twin Cities parishes from 213 to 192.
The plan was in response to aging demographics and declining attendance in some core city parishes.
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The plan also called for another 33 parishes to share priests. A quarter of all parishes are already sharing priests.
By midnight Wednesday, the archdiocese reported it had received more than 100 written petitions.
According to a statement, "There were multiple appeals by different people from some parishes."
The archbishop now has 30 days to respond. No changes were set to begin before Jan. 1.