The Diocese of Oakland is closing 13 churches as it faces a financial crisis compounded by declining attendance and sexual assault settlements.
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Thousands of East Bay residents woke up Wednesday to news that they will no longer be able to attend Mass at their church, as the Oakland Diocese announced plans to close thirteen Catholic parishes.
Seven of the churches are in Oakland, with six others outside the city, including Transfiguration Church in Castro Valley and Saint Stephen Church in Walnut Creek. The closures follow years of financial struggles for the Oakland Diocese. In 2023, the diocese filed for bankruptcy, and last week it was ordered to pay $16 million in a clergy abuse case. Diocesan leaders said those developments did not factor into the decision to close churches.
The diocese attributes this decision to a lack of priests, low Catholic school enrollment and a decline in Mass attendance. In a statement, the Oakland bishop wrote in part, "We are currently seeking bankruptcy court approval of our proposed plan of reorganization. Regardless of that outcome we must face the realities described above and proceed with these closures.
"The announcement stunned parishioners, neighbors and employees at affected churches, including Saint Barnabas in Alameda. "It was a friend who texted me at first, so I thought, no, it's not closing, but then she sent me the letter from the Bishop," said Agatha Leong, a lifelong member of Saint Barnabas. Leong said the church has been a second home to her.
She has attended Mass there since birth, received every sacrament and had all five of her children baptized at the parish. She did say though the signs were there. After COVID-19 she said she saw attendance decline, and it hasn't been the same.
"It's been slowly creeping up, but only in the hundreds, like about 100 something for mass. So I don't think that was sustainable to keep it open," Leong said. Not everyone believes the decision is final. Father Leo Edgerly of Our Lady of Lourdes said his parish remains active, even though it appears on a list of parishes that may close.
"We don't know exactly what the change is going to be. I know our name is on the list of parishes that may close, but the process is still open," Edgerly said. He added, "our responsibility, which is to be church here. And the way we do that is by showing up and not giving up.
" The potential loss is also affecting residents who do not attend services. Alameda resident Marilyn Alwan said she values the church's presence in the neighborhood.
"I wish it would stay. I like the idea of having having the building that fit the space. And there's a lot of open space behind it. And they've been good neighbors as far as I'm concerned," Alwan said.
The diocese said displaced parishioners will be welcomed at nearby churches. But for Leong, whose last memories of her mother were at Saint Barnabas' 100th anniversary celebration, the loss feels deeply personal. Decisions about what comes next for the church properties will be left to individual pastors, according to the diocese. Diocesan officials declined to answer our specific questions Wednesday. Sacred Heart, Oakland
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