OK, so I am not the one living through it, and therefore do not feel the pain directly.  But I think the idea of intentionally closing/re-aligning all of the parishes across the diocese is really smart.  Doing it by a plan, with a goal - more vibrant, effective parishes in measurable (e.g. ability to hire youth ministers), where every parish in the diocese shares in that plan - is far better in my view than just combining the worst struggling parishes.  It becomes a part of all of the faithful's mission, rather than punishment for those who could not be self-sustaining.  Kudos for approaching this bravely.