Grim news from the American northeast, where the number of priests continues its decline, and where dioceses are taking some radical but necessary steps.

This, from the Sun Journal paper in Maine:

The number of Catholic priests in the city will shrink again.

Lewiston parishioners were told Saturday that Monsignor Marc B. Caron and two parochial vicars will lead services at the city’s five churches: Holy Family, Holy Cross, St. Patrick’s, St. Joseph’s and the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. Four priests currently share the duties.

In addition, a single priest will soon be responsible for churches in Lisbon and Sabattus and a mission in Greene.

The announcement came in the form of a letter distributed to parishioners Saturday and signed by Bishop Richard Malone, the leader of Maine’s Catholic church.

“Was I surprised? No,” said Robert Gilbert, a eucharistic minister who attended services Saturday at the basilica. “This has has been coming for years.”

The reason is simple: Maine continues to lose priests.

In 2005, the state had 97 active priests for 135 parishes. In 2007, there were 86 priests for 131 parishes.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, which administers all of Maine, predicts there will be only 65 active priests by 2010.

For at least three years, the diocese has been cutting back. It has created a system of 28 clusters. Some churches have closed. In most cases, congregations that once had a priest of their own have had to share.

Under Malone’s direction, churches have tried working together. A single parish council now runs all five Lewiston churches.

Earlier this month, they joined under a single name, the “Prince of Peace” parish.

“We’re all Catholics,” Gilbert said. “We all belong to the same religion. I think the change will be very good.”

Cooperation was part of the reason for the announcement, Malone wrote in his letter.

Caron, a Lewiston native who grew up attending Holy Cross Church on Lisbon Street, will be the first priest to serve as administrator for all five Lewiston churches. He is scheduled to begin Sept. 1. He currently works as the co-chancellor of the diocese of Portland.

“He’s well-known, and he’s well-respected,” Gilbert said.

Let’s hope he’s also well-rested. He has his work cut out for him.