Photos: Parishioners of closed Philly churches take pilgrimage through city

A group of Catholics held a march Sunday to draw attention to the numerous Catholic churches that been closed in recent years through the pastoral planning process due to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s financial struggles and other factors.

Members of “Save La Milagrosa” and “Philly Catholics,” seen outside Our Lady Help of Christians in port Richmond, marched from closed churches in the Northeast to South Philadelphia.

The groups plan more events ahead of the World Meeting of Families.

“We need to create awareness among our fellow Catholics, and within the community in general, that there could be no celebration of the World Meeting of Families, when there are many families in Philadelphia [are] without homes since the closing of their parishes,” said a statement released by the groups.“We celebrate with our brothers and sisters whose churches remain open but such considerations and possibilities were not afforded to all churches! Our parishes are each unique but we are ‘one body, one church!'”

They visited the following parishes:

St. Joachim,Mater Dolorosa,St. Joan of Arc,St.George,Our Lady, Help of Christians, Nativity BVM,St. Adalbert,Mother of Divine Grace,St. Laurentius,St. Peter ClaverandLa Milagrosa.