The Catholic Archdiocese of New York plans to merge 14 percent of its parishes with others, according to Cardinal Timothy Dolan. In a newspaper column, the New York archbishop said it was not feasible to keep so many parishes open because of the dwindling numbers of Catholics and priests. Meanwhile, the Archdiocese of Chicago, citing budget deficits, announced this week that it would close or merge 14 elementary schools at the end of the academic year.