More than 20 Roman Catholic churches across north Wales are set to close as part of a major reorganisation.

Bishop Peter Brignall, of the Wrexham Diocese, plans to shut 22 out of the current 62 Catholic churches by 2020.

The measures, outlined in a letter, are due to a fall in under-retirement-age priests, he said. Some churches would close “within weeks”.

Bishop Brignall added parishes may find the plans “shocking” but stressed it was a “huge opportunity for renewal”.

Churches and parishes would be closed or amalgamated in Wrexham, Flint, Rhyl, Dolgellau, Caernarfon and Colwyn Bay deaneries.

Sunday Mass would also be scrapped at a number of churches while mass times are expected to change at others.

Bishop Brignall said he would hold a final Mass of thanksgiving in each church earmarked for closure. SOURCE