The Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland announced plans to close 13 church sites across the East Bay as part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at addressing declining attendance, a shortage of priests, and financial challenges.
In a letter to clergy and parishioners, Bishop Michael C. Barber said the closures are part of the next phase of the diocese’s Mission Alignment Process, a multi-year initiative focused on reshaping parish operations to better reflect current realities.
The churches slated for closure include multiple sites in Oakland, as well as locations in Alameda, Fremont, Crockett, Walnut Creek and Castro Valley. Among them are St. Stephen in Walnut Creek, St. Rose of Lima in Crockett, and Transfiguration in Castro Valley.
Diocese officials cited long-term trends that have reshaped the Catholic Church locally, including declining Mass attendance, reduced participation in sacraments, and falling enrollment in Catholic schools. The number of active priests has also dropped significantly, with the average age of clergy continuing to rise.
“Not all parishes can afford to pay for a support staff to fully serve the parish,” Barber wrote, noting that some churches have relied on renting out property or unused facilities to remain financially viable.
The bishop said many of the churches being closed are already merged or clustered with nearby parishes, and efforts will be made to transition parishioners to other locations.
“As I have full responsibility for the pastoral care of every Catholic in our diocese, it is my priority to ensure all affected parishioners are welcomed at a nearby parish,” he said.
The closures come as the diocese continues to navigate bankruptcy proceedings tied to clergy abuse lawsuits, though Barber said the decision to consolidate parishes would be necessary regardless of the outcome.
While acknowledging the emotional impact of closing long-standing churches, Barber emphasized that the changes are intended to refocus the Church’s mission.
“We cannot allow nostalgia and sentimentality to hold back the message of the Gospel,” he wrote.
The diocese currently oversees roughly 80 parishes across Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Officials say the restructuring is designed to ensure remaining parishes are sustainable and better positioned for future growth.