\u201cThe status quo is not sustainable nor is it serving God\u2019s people,\u201d said Bishop Michael C. Barber<\/a>, SJ in a letter<\/a> to the faithful on April 28.<\/p>\n \u201cAs I have full responsibility for the pastoral care of every Catholic in our diocese, it is my priority to ensure all affected parishioners are welcomed at a nearby parish.\u201d<\/p>\n The church reorganization process has been in the works for years, with Barber forming a Mission Alignment Process commission in 2021 to collect and analyze data on parish vitality. That year saw a diocese-wide survey initiative, before parishioners were invited to reflect on their own community\u2019s sustainability.<\/p>\n The MAP commission aimed to identify properties seeing less use and provide recommendations for consolidating resources. Relevant meetings have since been held on a regular basis, leaving many of the diocese’s Black Catholics concerned for the future of their churches. That fear was accelerated by the more than 380 child sex abuse cases filed against the diocese in recent years.\u00a0<\/p>\n During California\u2019s \u201clookback window,\u201d a period between 2020 and 2022 when the statute of limitations on CSA was lifted, the state allowed unlimited civil cases concerning alleged crimes dating back decades. Barber said in 2023 that the avalanche of new cases, potentially exposing the diocese to hundreds of millions of dollars in abuse settlements, led directly to its bankruptcy filing that year.<\/p>\n Just this month, a bankruptcy judge gave the green light for the diocese to seek approval from survivors for a $180 million settlement to cover all remaining CSA civil cases\u2014$150 million of which would come directly from the diocese. The survivors\u2019 representation in court has urged the larger group to reject the proposal.<\/p>\n The April letter from Barber did not directly attribute the impending closures to the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings.<\/p>\n \u201cRegardless of that [bankruptcy] outcome, we must face the realities described above and proceed with these closures,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cI deeply understand the sacrifice this will require. We cannot allow nostalgia and sentimentality to hold back the message of the Gospel.\u201d<\/p>\n Members of St. Patrick\u2019s in Oakland have held multiple meetings since the letter was released, both to inform attendees of the news and to strategize for potential recourse. According to Catholic canon law, parishioners can appeal a closure within 10 days of a bishop\u2019s official closure decree\u2014which in this case has not yet been released.<\/p>\n Parishioners at the historic parish say they have already sent a letter to Barber concerning an appeal, and some leaders say the diocese largely ignored them on financial matters well before the closure announcement.<\/p>\n \u201cSavings of St. Patrick\u2019s are currently held captive by [the] Diocese,\u201d the parish wrote<\/a> on its social media account on May 17, adding that parishioners may soon respond outside the boundaries of canon law.<\/p>\n \u201cMembers of St. Patrick\u2019s may commit to legal action towards the Bishop and the Diocese.\u201d<\/p>\n Approaching its 150th anniversary in 2028, St. Patrick\u2019s was founded in the late 19th century by Fr J. B. McNally to serve the historic wave of Irish immigrants in Northern California. The parish later integrated other ethnic groups before African Americans arrived in large numbers amid the Great Migration. A parish school, originally the St. Joseph\u2019s Institute and later St. Patrick\u2019s School, merged into St. Martin de Porres School and closed in 2017.<\/p>\n St. Patrick\u2019s Church is also home to a strong Latino demographic and has been involved in local civil rights and other social justice efforts. It is considered a multicultural parish and one of three connected to Black Catholic ministry in Oakland, alongside St. Benedict<\/a> in East Oakland and St. Columba<\/a> in North Oakland.<\/p>\n In his letter on parish closures, Bishop Barber requested that churches expected to receive new parishioners be welcoming and open to collaboration.<\/p>\n \u201cOpen your hearts wide to your fellow Catholics who will be joining you,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cLove them, make room for them not only in the pew alongside you, but in the activities of your parish. Welcome them as your own, for we are all one as Christ\u2019s body.\u201d<\/p>\n Nate Tinner-Williams<\/a> is co-founder and editor of Black Catholic Messenger.<\/p>\n Sign up for Black Catholic Messenger<\/p>\n Nonprofit digital media amplifying Black Catholic voices.<\/p>\n No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.<\/p>\n Like what you’re reading? Support BCM with a tax-deductible gift!a.) click to give (fee-free) on Zeffy<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/stpatrickoakland2.jpg\")
St. Patrick Catholic Church in Oakland, California, in 2018. (Alvin M.\/Yelp)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-12-9.48.59-AM.png\")
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