Some Catholic parishes in four northern New Jersey counties may be consolidated as soon as 2027, church officials said.

The discussion in the Archdiocese of Newark is the latest challenge facing Catholic leaders in New Jersey. While the state still has one of the highest percentages of Catholic residents in the nation, church attendance has been falling and more than 30 Catholic schools have closed in the past five years due to declining enrollment .

The possible parish consolidations stem from an ongoing review launched in June by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin with the aim of strengthening the Catholic faith “amid a changing Church landscape,” a spokesperson said.

The review, called " We Are His Witnesses ," includes considering new partnerships between parishes.

“As the initiative p

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