The Diocese says the churches are too expensive to operate and maintain in the face of a decline in parishioners.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland says it plans to close five churches in Biddeford, Saco and Lewiston.  The Diocese says Notre Dame de Lourdes Church in Saco and St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Biddeford will be closing as of December 31st of this year, and St. Andre Church in Biddeford will close in December of next year.

The Diocese says the Catholic population has declined, and over the past five years, the parish has seen twice as many burials as baptisms.  Meanwhile, the cost of maintaining and operating the churches has been on the rise, resulting in a $48,000 deficit for the fiscal year that ended in June, and a projected $170,000 shortfall for next year.

The Diocese says plans are also in the works to close two churches in Lewiston -- St. Joseph and St. Patrick.  A task force recommended the closings in March, concluding that the churches were too expensive to maintain and operate in the face of a decline in parishioners.  Under the plan, the churces would be closed this fall and put on the market, along with their rectories. The plan requires the approval of Bishop Richard Malone.