Diocese of Oakland announces closure of 13 East Bay churches

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- The Diocese of Oakland is closing 13 churches as it faces a financial crisis compounded by declining attendance and sexual assault settlements.

Bishop Michael Barber says the closures include seven churches in Oakland, including Our Lady of Lourdes, Saint Augustine and Saint Patrick.

There are also closures in Fremont, Alameda, Crockett, Walnut Creek and Castro Valley.

MORE: Jury awards $16M to survivor in 1970s Oakland Diocese priest abuse case

Bishop Michael Barber says the Diocese is seeing a trend of declining Mass attendance, Sacrament participation, and Catholic school enrollment.

He says they are also at an all-time low of priests assigned to 80 parishes and the average age of priests continues to climb.

MORE: Diocese of Oakland files for bankruptcy after over 330 child sexual abuse lawsuits

Bishop Barber says all affected parishioners will be welcomed at a nearby parish.

The Diocese is currently working to receive bankruptcy court approval of its proposed plan for reorganization.

Here's the full list of closures:

• Mary Help of Christians, Oakland


• Our Lady of Lourdes, Oakland


• Sacred Heart, Oakland


• St. Andrew Kim Korean Pastoral Center, Oakland


• St. Augustine, Oakland


• St. Paschal Baylon, Oakland


• St. Patrick, Oakland


• Our Lady of Guadalupe Site at Blacow Road, Fremont


• St. Albert the Great, Alameda


• St. Barnabas, Alameda


• St. Rose of Lima, Crockett


• St. Stephen, Walnut Creek


• Transfiguration, Castro Valley