By Marci Izard
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) -- The Diocese of Springfield has announced the churches in Hampden and Hampshire counties that will close.
The announcement comes at the end of a four-year analysis issued by the 12 member Diocesan Pastoral Planning Committee.
Chicopee is the hardest hit community with a net reduction of five churches.
Northampton and Springfield will each lose three.
Msgr. John J. Bonzagni, director of the Diocese's Pastoral Planning Office, said the changes are needed because of a change in demographics, a decline in the number of clergy and financial pressures.
Most of the changes are scheduled to take place before the end of the year but church officials say reconfigurations for some communities will take place two years from now.
See the Springfield Diocese Web site for the names of churches to close.
