{"id":2636190,"date":"2026-07-27T18:07:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T22:07:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/in-just-one-diocese-7-catholic-churches-are-canceling-sunday-mass-entirely-as-minnesotas-self-destruction-continues\/"},"modified":"2026-07-27T18:14:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T22:14:18","slug":"in-just-one-diocese-7-catholic-churches-are-canceling-sunday-mass-entirely-as-minnesotas-self-destruction-continues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/in-just-one-diocese-7-catholic-churches-are-canceling-sunday-mass-entirely-as-minnesotas-self-destruction-continues\/","title":{"rendered":"In Just One Diocese, 7 Catholic Churches Are Canceling Sunday Mass Entirely as Minnesota&#8217;s Self-Destruction Continues"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fin-just-one-diocese-7-catholic-churches-are-canceling-sunday-mass-entirely-as-minnesotas-self-destruction-continues%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2636190&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>the Roman Catholic Diocese of Crookston in Minnesota is closing seven parishes due to declining attendance and a shortage of priests, reducing the total from 65 to 58. final Masses will be held at four churches in August and September, and at three others in October. Bishop Andrew Cozzens cited issues like shrinking youth participation, few volunteers, and priest shortages, with half of the diocese\u2019s 32 priests approaching retirement in the next decade. The demographic decline in northern counties contrasts with growth in the south, highlighting regional disparities. The article suggests that cultural shifts, such as increased Muslim migration and declining Christian engagement, contribute to these challenges, raising concerns about the Church\u2019s response to contemporary moral and social issues, and advocating for bold leadership to revitalize faith and trust.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_0)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>The Roman Catholic Diocese of Crookston, Minnesota, is ending Sunday Mass for seven parishes amid declining attendance and a shortage of priests.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.grandforksherald.com\/news\/minnesota\/catholic-churches-in-northwest-minnesota-prepare-to-end-sunday-mass\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Grand Forks Herald<\/a> reported on Tuesday that Bishop Andrew Cozzens called it one of the most difficult decisions he has ever had to make. Last fall, Cozzens began speaking to parishes to strategize a solution to this problem, but to no avail.<\/p>\n<p>The total number of parishes will go from 65 to 58.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncregister.com\/cna\/minnesota-priest-shortage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Catholic Register<\/a> gave a timeline for when those locations would be holding their last services.<\/p>\n<p>St. Francis Xavier in Oklee, St. Ann in Goodridge, St. Mary in Badger, and St. Philip in Falun will be having their final Masses in August and September. In October, St. Mary in Euclid, St. Joseph in Oslo, and St. Francis of Assisi in Fisher will hold their final Masses.<\/p>\n<p>In his <a href=\"https:\/\/files.ecatholic.com\/37398\/documents\/2026\/7\/Letter%20from%20Bishop%20Cozzens%20regarding%20NW%20Deanery%20Decisions%20071826.pdf?t=1784217302000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">letter<\/a> to the diocese, the bishop wrote about the problems that led to the decision.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSome of these small parishes have no young people in religious formation, or at least very few. Some have trouble finding volunteers and rely on only a few dedicated people to keep the parish going. We also continue to experience a shortage of priests,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile our priests serve generously, there are limits to the number and locations of Masses they can celebrate on any given weekend. We must ensure that they can <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >provide sustainable pastoral care<\/a> and remain true spiritual fathers to the communities entrusted to them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>According to the Grand Forks Herald, Cozzens noted half of the 32 priests in the diocese are eligible for retirement in the next decade. He further noted a contrast between the northern and southern parts of the diocese, with the closings happening in the north as the south sees some growth.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have places in the southern part of the diocese that are growing, we have places where we will probably have to add a priest to help deal with those needs, and then when you get to the northern part of the diocese, some of those counties are going to experience pretty dramatic demographic decline over the next 20 years, some of them as much as 40 or 60%,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a sad development. Young people should be turning toward Jesus Christ and flocking to churches, not away from them.<\/p>\n<p>We cannot overlook that this is happening in a place like Minnesota.<\/p>\n<p>This is a state that\u2019s seen a rise in Islam through an influx of Somali migrants. As Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar\u2019s constituents flock to the mosques, Americans aren\u2019t showing the same enthusiasm in this diocese for Christ.<\/p>\n<p>Should the church speak more openly and boldly about the current evils of our day in hopes of a revival?<\/p>\n<p>Great moral issues \u2014 like self-delusion that leads to body mutilation in the name of transgender ideology \u2014 plague our culture. A godless leftist perspective that replaces Christ\u2019s teachings with social constructivist and materialist worldviews has become popular along with a current of anti-Semitism.<\/p>\n<p>Church leaders must be bold.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV used a visit to Turkey and Lebanon to encourage a more accepting relationship between Christians and Muslims.<\/p>\n<p>On his flight back to Rome, <a href=\"https:\/\/catholiconline.news\/faith\/pope-leo-urges-openness-toward-muslims-critics-warn-against-naive-expectations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Catholic News<\/a> reported in December that he commented specifically on the topic of Muslim migration: \u201cI know that in Europe there are many times fears that are present but oftentimes generated by people who are against immigration and trying to keep out people who may be from another country, another religion, another race.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Leo said that in his talks in those countries, the conversations \u201cwere precisely concentrated on the topic of peace and respect for people of different religions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But peace and respect will only flow one way.<\/p>\n<p>The current state of Europe and its history with the Islamic world prove that Islam does not want either.<\/p>\n<p>When disillusioned Americans hear statements like this, they lose confidence in the Roman Catholic Church.<\/p>\n<p>To see them return, they must be led by bold champions of Christ, not doormats who refuse to address our current problems.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]] = document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display = 'block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display = 'none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src = firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display = 'inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id'] = firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting = jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display = 'none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display = 'block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> \t     \t\t\t\t\t\t     \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> \t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/body><\/html><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Diocese of Crookston, Minnesota, is closing seven parishes&#8217; Sunday Masses due to declining attendance and priest shortages. Bishop Andrew Cozzens described it as one of his hardest decisions. Despite efforts to find solutions last fall, the total parishes will drop from 65 to 58<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2636191,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Ben-Working-Feature-Image-2026-07-27T172440.737.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[62292,83296,83294,83295,83293],"class_list":["post-2636190","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-catholic-churches","tag-church-attendance-decline","tag-minnesota-diocese","tag-religious-absence","tag-sunday-mass-cancellations"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Ben-Working-Feature-Image-2026-07-27T172440.737.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636190","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2636190"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636190\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2636199,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2636190\/revisions\/2636199"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2636191"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2636190"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2636190"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2636190"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}