In a world that continues to face great challenges, the closure of churches across the United States, including the Diocese of Buffalo, New York, signals a deeper crisis within our faith communities. On a warm Sunday in July, the final Mass at All Saints Parish in Buffalo served as a poignant reminder of the scripture: “For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). The priests present encouraged the few parishioners who gathered to take comfort in this holy passage. Yet, the reality remains: many parishes are facing the difficult decision to sell their properties due to declining attendance and financial struggles.
Father Bryan Zielenieski, leading the renewal and development efforts for the Diocese of Buffalo, expressed the sobering truth: “We essentially went to half of what we used to back in the early 2000s,” he said. In a diocese that has already lost about 100 parishes, Zielenieski foresees the closure of 70 more churches in the coming years. This process, known as the “road to renewal,” is an attempt to address the undeniable fact that fewer people are attending Mass and participating in church life.
As Father Zielenieski points out, more than half of the diocesan churches baptize fewer than one person a month, and 59% spend more than they take in. This decline mirrors a broader trend in society, as recent Gallup data shows that the percentage of Americans who belong to a religious institution has fallen from nearly 80% in the late 1940s to just 45% today. Only 32% of Americans worship God in a house of prayer once a week, signaling a shift away from traditional religious practice.
While there are numerous factors contributing to this decline, including the devastating impact of child sex abuse scandals, we must reflect on the spiritual causes. Many of our faithful are no longer regularly attending Mass, losing sight of the importance of communal worship, the sacraments, and their personal relationship with Christ. Father Zielenieski rightly identifies that, “When times are good, people forget God; when times are challenging, they go to God first.” This sobering observation reminds us that we must never take the Church for granted.
However, it is crucial for us, as a strict Catholic community, to recognize that the closure of churches is not simply a matter of statistics or financial calculations. The preservation of the Church is not a mere business decision but a matter of divine importance. Churches are not just buildings; they are places of worship, of grace, of communion with God. They are where we receive the sacraments, hear the Word of God, and experience His presence in the Eucharist.
We must ask ourselves: How can we support our local parishes? Are we doing all we can to foster a culture of vocations, support our priests, and encourage regular participation in the sacraments? If we truly value our faith, we must dedicate ourselves to ensuring that the Church remains a vibrant and active presence in our communities. This is not a time for complacency but a call to renewal—both personal and communal.
As some churches are being sold off and converted into businesses or luxury residences, we must resist the temptation to see these closures as merely an inevitable part of secular progress. Instead, we must strive to rekindle the flame of faith in our hearts and in the hearts of those around us. Let us honor the legacy of those who built these churches, and let us pray for the grace to be good stewards of God’s house.
In the case of the All Saints Church in Buffalo, where the sale is imminent, the priests have taken steps to ensure that the new owners will not turn the church into a place of sin. This decision is a reminder that while the building may no longer serve as a place of worship, its sacred nature should be respected, and its purpose must remain aligned with God’s will.
Let us remember the words of the Psalmist: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1). It is not enough for us to simply preserve buildings; we must seek to preserve the faith and ensure the Church remains a place where God’s people can gather, pray, and be nourished by His grace. Let this be our charge as we face the challenges ahead.
In this season of renewal, let us recommit ourselves to the Church, to the sacraments, and to one another. Let us pray for our priests and bishops as they lead us through these difficult times, and let us pray for the grace to be active participants in the mission of the Church. Only through a deep and abiding commitment to Christ and His Church can we hope to overcome the challenges that lie before us.
As we face these trials, we must hold fast to the promise of Christ: “I will not leave you orphaned; I will come to you” (John 14:18). May these words be a source of comfort and strength as we navigate the path of renewal.
