Archbishop confirms plans to cut number of Glasgow churches by half

The Archdiocese of Glasgow has outlined plans to cut the number of Catholic churches in the city by half as part of a major restructure.

The proposals would see the closure of two dozen churches in Glasgow and Dunbartonshire through a series of mergers between parishes.

It is anticipated the number of parishes will be reduced to around 40 over the next five to ten years.

Archbishop William Nolan confirmed the plans in a letter published on Wednesday.

He said: “There are too many parishes but too few people, too many churches but too few priests.

“Compared to when these parishes were formed and our churches built, there are significantly fewer people coming to mass.

“Some of our largest churches are in places where there are the fewest people.

Archbishop Nolan noted that the Archdiocese has just one priest under the age of 45, with most being over 60.

He added: “Our parishes and our churches hold great memories for us and are dear to our hearts, so any reduction in parishes and any closure of churches will be a painful experience.

“We cannot avoid that pain, though, by not facing up to reality.”

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