STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — In a press conference held at the diocesan pastoral center Tuesday, Bishop Edward Lohse, the apostolic administrator for the Catholic Diocese of Steubenville, unveiled a comprehensive report that raises serious concerns regarding the long-term viability of the diocese and outlines the challenges that lie ahead.
You can view the full press conference here.
The report, a product of extensive collaboration with diocesan consultors, finance council members, administrators, and priests, represents a self-study initiated to assess both the current state and the future prospects of the diocese. Bishop Lohse is evaluating whether Steubenville should merge with a neighboring diocese or continue as an independent entity. Previous reports said a merger with the Catholic Diocese of Columbus was possible. The Diocese of Steubenville comprises a 13-county area in southeast Ohio.
Bishop Lohse acknowledged the robust faith that persists in the region, but there is an expected decline in both the general and Catholic populations locally.
Financially, the Diocese of Steubenville’s net assets have grown from $18.2 million in 2023 to $19.8 million in 2024, a modest improvement that nonetheless falls short of supporting long-term growth.
Bishop Lohse confirmed that a timeline for completing the merger discernment process has been established, though its details remain undefined by church law. The next phase of this process will involve discussions among the bishops of Ohio, with recommendations to potentially modify the diocese expected to be considered as early as November.
