Citing declining attendance, fewer available pastors entering the priesthood, finances and other issues, the Diocese of Fall River plans to close Westport’s three Catholic parishes later this month, and join their congregations together under a new parish. The consolidation is expected to take place by Friday, June 20.

Our Lady of Grace Church at 569 Sanford Road, St. George Church at 12 Highland Ave. and St. John the Baptist Church at 945 Main Road will be “suppressed,” Bishop Edgar da Cunha wrote in a 'decree' last week. In their place, a new parish, Divine Mercy, will be established to serve the town’s Catholic community. All three churches will be used as worship sites by the new parish, da Cunha wrote.

“I fully recognize that losing one’s parish is not easy; it’s difficult and painful,” Bishop da Cunha said. "The decision to close a parish is never made lightly or without deep prayer and discernment. Over the past year, I have worked closely with my cabinet, the personnel board, and diocesan leadership, seeking possible resources and exploring alternatives in assessing the future of our Diocese. Despite our best efforts, it is clear that we must make these changes.”

The closures and consolidation were not unexpected locally. Parish officials have been working under one pastor for some time, and a planning committee met with Bishop da Cunha last month to submit a formal request to merge. Father Dariusz Kalinowski, who has been serving as pastor for the three parishes, has been named the new founding pastor of Divine Mercy.

According to the diocese, "all properties, assets and financial obligations of the former parishes become part of the new one upon its establishment."

The closures and consolidation come as the diocese seeks to 'suppress,' or close, several other parishes in the area. Those include:

• In New Bedford, St. Francis of Assisi parish, already part of the Whaling City Catholic Community cooperative, will be closed, with parishioners encouraged to join one of the two other parishes in the collaborative, Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and St. Lawrence, Martyr.

• In South Attleboro, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus parish will close, and its territory will be merged with Our Lady of Queens of Martyrs parish in Seekonk.