Summary of Proposals for Deanery of Saint John Southworth:

The following parishes will remain as they are at present:

Saint Peter, Stonyhurst
Saint Mary, Bamber Bridge
Our Lady of Lourdes and Saint Gerard Majella, Lostock Hall

The following parishes, already sharing a priest, are proposed for amalgamation:

Sacred Heart, Blackburn and Saint Anne, Blackburn
Saint Alban, Blackburn and Holy Souls, Blackburn [three churches]
Holy Family, Blackburn and Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Blackburn
Sacred Heart and Saint Edward, Darwen and Saint Joseph, Darwen
Saint Wilfrid, Longridge and Saints Peter and Paul, Ribchester and Saint Mary, Chipping
Our Lady of the Valley (Clitheroe and Sabden) and Saint Hubert, Dunsop Bridge
Our Lady and Saint Patrick, Walton le Dale and Saint Mary and Saint John, Salmesbury

In addition, the following amalgamations of parishes are proposed:

Saints Mary and John, Pleasington and Saint John Vianney, Blackburn and Saint Peter in Chains, Blackburn [initially with two priests whilst determining which of the church buildings to retain]
English Martyrs, Whalley and Saint Mary, Langho and Saint Mary, Osbaldeston

The following churches are proposed for closure:

One or two of the churches in the new parish of Saints Mary and John, Pleasington (which includes St Paul’s chapel of ease) and Saint John Vianney, Blackburn and Saint Peter in Chains, Blackburn [to be determined during the amalgamation process]

Summary of proposals across the Diocese:

37 parishes remaining as at present
14 amalgamations of parishes already sharing a priest (involving 31 parishes)
32 additional amalgamations (involving 69 parishes)
22 churches closing (or 24 depending on further considerations); 3 of these not currently used
6 situations requiring further consideration (involving 13 parishes)

When all proposals are implemented:

88 or 89 parishes (depending on further considerations) as opposed to 150 at present
161 or 163 churches (depending on further considerations) as opposed to 185 at present