A big merger could be coming for the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese, which oversees Catholic churches in six counties including Butler.
A panel has recommended merging the current 188 parishes into 48.
The recommendations are part of a restructuring process launched by Bishop David Zubik. The diocese announced earlier this year that it was planning a dramatic reduction in the number of parishes due to declines in priests and church attendance.
The recommendations are to be reviewed by more diocesan boards before a final decision in April on which parishes will be affected.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh includes Allegheny, Butler, Beaver, Greene, Lawrence and Washington counties.