The Archdiocese of Dubuque is proposing a plan that would significantly change their parishes, according to KIMT. The plan would merge 161 parishes into 27 to 29 pastorates by 2027. At least 83 churches would no longer hold weekend masses, most of those in rural areas. A shortage of priests is one of the main culprits according to the Archdiocese. They say in 2006 they had 117 active priests, today there at 85. That number is expected to be down to 65 next year. The Archdiocese also says Mass attendance has declined 46 percent since 2006 and Catholic marriages have decreased by 57 percent over that same period. Funerals now exceed baptisms.

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