{"id":296016,"date":"2026-05-02T03:07:25","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T03:07:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/296016\/"},"modified":"2026-05-02T03:07:25","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T03:07:25","slug":"diocese-is-closing-7-oakland-churches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/296016\/","title":{"rendered":"Diocese is closing 7 Oakland churches"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Oakland Diocese of the Catholic Church will close 13 churches<\/a> \u2014 7 in Oakland \u2014 due to declining participation and an ongoing financial crisis linked to sexual abuse cases dating between 1960 and 1990, some of which resulted in lawsuits and multi-million dollar jury verdicts<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In a letter dated April 28<\/a>, released to its parishioners and the media, Oakland Bishop Michael C. Barber wrote that attendance at masses across the diocese\u2019s region \u2014 Alameda and Contra Costa counties \u2014 has fallen since the early 2010s, meaning less participation in the sacraments and lower Catholic school enrollment. \u201cWe are also at an all-time low of priests assigned to our 80 parishes, and the average age of our priests continues to climb,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n

The list of closures includes churches in Oakland, including Our Lady of Lourdes across the street from Lake Merritt. Parishioners from the church gathered last September<\/a> to organize ways to save the church from closing. At the time, parishioners told The Oaklandside that the diocese had said little to them about its final decision.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Diocese has faced hundreds of lawsuits<\/a> in recent years, filed by the survivors of clergy sexual abuse. In 2023, Bishop Barber announced a bankruptcy plan that involved paying $165 million to survivors while looking at potentially closing churches with declining attendance.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Diocese put together a \u201cMission Alignment Process\u201d, which looked at data to identify which parishes were struggling the most. The plan also included a survivors\u2019 fund worth up to $198 million. A survivor\u2019s group called the plan a \u201csham of an offer.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

In his letter issued on Tuesday, Barber explained that the diocese is still currently seeking approval of its bankruptcy plan from a federal judge. \u201cRegardless of that outcome, we must face the realities described above and proceed with these closures.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another church on the list is St. Paschal Baylon, near Golf Links Road, led by Father Jayson Landeza. Landeza also leads St Lawrence O\u2019Toole, both part of Divine Mercy Parish<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Landeza addressed parishioners from St. Paschal in an email dated April 29, writing, \u201cbecause of decisions that have been made regarding this property, we now face the painful reality that this site will be sold. I know that this news brings sadness, disappointment, anger, and confusion. Those feelings are real, and they deserve to be acknowledged. This is a loss, and it is right to grieve.\u201d<\/p>\n

The diocese has a Frequently Asked Questions section<\/a> addressing how the sale of the churches, and subsequent release of funds will be addressed. The FAQ says that the sale of the properties will be \u201cunique to each site,\u201d that there\u2019s no exact timeline yet, and \u201cBishop Barber will work in collaboration with the \u201creceiving\u201d pastor(s) on the disposition of the sale of church property.\u201d<\/p>\n

Barber said in the letter that he will \u201cprovide welcoming accommodation of all affected parishioners at another convenient location.\u201d<\/p>\n

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