By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Several mayors in north St. Louis County will ask Archbishop Raymond Burke to not close some Catholic churches and schools in the area.
The mayors note communities like Florissant are adding new homes and businesses, and they want church support for their efforts.
A group studying the St. Louis Archdiocese has proposed merging or consolidating 25 parishes in north County. The total number of parishes would be reduced to 10. The plan also includes closing some schools run by the Archdiocese.
The panel is also studying what to do with parishes and schools in south St. Louis.
The archdiocese cites a decline in the Catholic population in those areas and a shortage of priests as reasons for why some consolidation might have to happen.