Catholic Churches Looking At Merger

Changing demographics of parishioners and priests are causing changes through the Rome Catholic Syracuse Diocese.

In a letter shared with parishioners of St. Bernard’s in Waterville, St. Joseph’s in Oriskany Falls, St. Joan of Arc in Morrisville and St. Mary’s in Hamilton, Bishop Douglas Lucia, head of the Syracuse Diocese, received a recommendation for the four churches.

The recommendation is formation of the Holy Spirit Parish by merging the churches.

Lucia has not yet formally signed off on the idea.

According to the letter, once the merger is official the Diocese will begin looking at all the buildings involved.

The letter states that the parish will not be able to afford to keep them all, and that four ...