The parishes in the Catholic Diocese of Peoria will undergo a massive reorganization and consolidation through 2027, as the church grapples with falling attendance and a growing priest shortage.
Bishop Lou Tylka announced Saturday the diocese's 156 individual parishes will become 75 parishes. Twelve parishes will merge into neighboring parishes, and another 107 will merge to create 38 new ones.
The Diocese covers 17,000 square miles across 26 Illinois counties, including McLean. There are currently 145 active priests, but Tylka said that's projected to fall below 100 within the next 10 years. Church attendance in the Diocese has fallen by nearly 50% over the past decade.
"The world we live in today presents many challenges for us to propose the Gospel in a compelling and impactful way. We cannot ignore the realities we face," Tylka said in a video message. "However, we are full of hope as we trust the prompting of the Holy Spirit to engage in a new apostolic age of missionary discipleship."
McLean County changes
As part of the process branded Growing Disciples, McLean County will see the following changes:
- New pastors at Holy Trinity in Bloomington, Historic St. Patrick in Bloomington, St. Mary’s in Bloomington and Epiphany in Normal.
- St. Mary’s of Downs will merge into St. Patrick of Merna (Bloomington), which will be the primary worship site.
- St. Mary’s in Lexington and St. Joseph in Flanagan will merge into St. Joseph of Chenoa, which will be the primary worship site. St. Joseph in Flanagan will close.
This final list of changes is a departure from the Peoria Diocese’s initial plan, which called for closing Holy Trinity entirely. The Diocese pulled back from that plan in March following pushback from parishioners.
There is a full list of churches and how they will be affected on the Diocese website.
“I know for some, these decisions will bring a great deal of sadness and pain, asking you to let go of the comfort of what is known as your parish,” Tylka said. “For all of us, we have to use the gift of the Holy Spirit, to understand the necessity of change and have the fortitude to look beyond our own parish to the wider mission we are embracing to bring new life to the Church.”
Tylka said the changes begin July 1 and will continue through 2027.
