Catholic Group Organizes to Influence Dubuque Archdiocese Parish Closure Plans

"Save Our Churches, Save Our Communities" aims to have a voice in the archdiocese's "Journey of Faith" consolidation process.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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As the Archdiocese of Dubuque in Iowa considers plans to potentially end masses and close some small town churches, a group called "Save Our Churches, Save Our Communities" is hosting public forums and consulting with a non-profit law firm to try to influence the outcome of the archdiocese's "Journey of Faith" consolidation process.

Why it matters

The group believes the archdiocese's plans to close up to 83 churches across 30 counties go against the rules and process outlined by the Vatican for parish consolidations. They want to ensure parishioners' voices are heard and that a fair and workable solution can be achieved.

The details

The group has been meeting with concerned citizens across the diocese and building support to challenge the archdiocese's plans. They are working with a non-profit law firm that has experience helping similar groups facing church consolidations, in order to understand the Canon Law requirements for the process. The group hopes their existence and activity will lead the archdiocese to come up with an acceptable plan, but they are also preparing to proceed with an appeal if needed.

  • The Archdiocese of Dubuque is currently considering plans to potentially end masses and close some small town churches.
  • The group "Save Our Churches, Save Our Communities" has been hosting public forums since early 2026.

The players

Save Our Churches, Save Our Communities

A group of concerned Catholic parishioners in the Dubuque Archdiocese who are organizing to try to influence the archdiocese's plans to close up to 83 churches across 30 counties.

Archdiocese of Dubuque

The Catholic archdiocese in Dubuque, Iowa that is considering plans to potentially end masses and close some small town churches as part of its "Journey of Faith" consolidation process.

Wayne Brunsman

A parishioner at St. Boniface Catholic Church in New Vienna, Iowa who is part of the "Save Our Churches, Save Our Communities" group.

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What they’re saying

“People want their voices to be heard in the process that so far has only allowed very limited, very structured comments that have left people feeling like they're on the outside looking in.”

— Wayne Brunsman, Parishioner, St. Boniface Catholic Church (Radio Iowa)

“We have a core group of concerned citizens across the whole diocese and there's just a lot of growing support once people know there are things we can do to influence the outcome of this process.”

— Wayne Brunsman, Parishioner, St. Boniface Catholic Church (Radio Iowa)

What’s next

The group "Save Our Churches, Save Our Communities" plans to continue hosting public forums and working with a non-profit law firm to challenge the Archdiocese of Dubuque's "Journey of Faith" consolidation plans if an acceptable solution is not reached.

The takeaway

This case highlights the tension between a Catholic diocese's need to manage declining mass attendance and priest shortages, and the strong desire of parishioners to preserve their longstanding local churches and communities. The group's organizing efforts demonstrate how local residents can mobilize to have a voice in such consolidation decisions.