Two Bronx churches are no longer being used as holy sanctuaries.
The Archdiocese of New York said that the Shrine Church of Saint Ann on Bainbridge Avenue and the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kingsbridge were deconsecrated because the former churches were no longer being used.
The Shrine Church of Saint Ann has been closed for two years after it merged with the Church of Saint Brendan. A similar situation happened with the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Mass and other Catholic sacraments can no longer be held in the former churches, as a result of the archdiocese’s decision.
Parishioners in the area are upset and say it may be a sign of the times.
"People are not going to church," one parishioner said. "I don't know if they are trusting in God."
The Archdiocese of New York tells News 12 that the two former churches are not currently up for sale.
The diocese says the future of the two buildings would first be decided by the newly formed parishes and then multiple stages of reviews would have to take place. They also say if the buildings were sold, then the final decision would come from the Vatican.