Plans to close six Catholic churches and build a new cathedral in Steubenville are on hold after diocese leaders called the plan too financially risky.Monday, church leaders like Bishop Daniel Conlon and Rev. Tim McGuire met to come up with an alternate plan.
"They're going to be considering all kinds of things ... before any decisions are made," said Pat DeFrancis, communications director. "Everything is on hold at this point."
Some parishioners like Madeline Rinaldeo said they would like the diocese to turn the existing St. Peter's Church into a cathedral.
Plans for a cathedral began after the church determined that a declining economy and shortage of clergy would necessitate the closure of six churches.
The diocese had previously raised $8.5 million for the project and held a groundbreaking ceremony at the planned site near Catholic Central High School.
DeFrancis said the donations raised will be returned in the event donors aren't satisfied with the alternate plan.
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