Thirteen Catholic churches in a single region in California are slated to close down due to a lack of parishioners, priests and money following a string of sexual abuse lawsuits, officials said.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Bishop Michael Barber said 12 sites and a pastoral center would all be shuttered in the Oakland area, about 400 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
With fewer parishioners and priests, Bishop Barber said not all of the parishes had the funds available to fully support and staff the buildings and their mission…