By AP / KWMU
St. Louis, MO – For more than a year, archdiocesan study groups have been examining attendance and finances of parishes in north St. Louis County and south St. Louis.
Migration to the suburbs since 1970 has reduced the number of Catholics in those areas by roughly one-half.
The priest shortage is also a factor in the planned closings.
North St. Louis County parish closings were announced earlier this month.