Is your parish on the list of churches that may close? If so, why do you think it should or shouldn't be closed?
Read the story: 60 churches will close in Boston archdiocese
Special report: Parish closings

Page 10

They got what they deserved. A crime is a crime and it doesn't matter who commits it. I feel WORSE for the VICTIMS.

Joe, Newton

It is absolutely INSANE that the hierarchy is going to close St. Albert's in Weymouth. It has a new building, is financially solvent, and has top-shelf leadership in Fr. Ron Coyne. This is the beginning of a long, downward spiral for the Catholic Church in the US. It will take a while, but the church will become more and more irrelevant.

Joe, Milton

I take issue with the insensitive people, particularly those who proclaim to have no affiliation with the church, opining on this issue at all. Just for a little while, stop thinking about the priests or the hierarchy, or seeking revenge. This is a horrible day for the people who seek solace in these churches when their loved ones die, who celebrate the birth of a child or union of two people in marriage, who rely on their spirituality to get throught the most difficult times in their lives, and who have created a community of friends through their churches. The stories and milestones of thousands of peoples' lives lay within these churches. So, if you want to wax political about the whole thing, please save it for another day. And for those of you who view the churches as being merely buildings or hiding places, it is obvious that you have not experienced the same attachments as others may have, and I think you need to respect that difference in experience. Let the people who have devoted themselves and shared their lives and families with these churches mourn their losses. They are not the ones who committed the crimes, yet they are another group that is being left to suffer.

Katie, Lynn

This is ridiculous. I live in Waltham near the slated to close Sacred Heart parish. The church pulls almost 1000 parishoners in any given week. The collections are good, and all the parish buildings are in decent shape or recently repaired. There's a big youth program, and even some Cub Scouts that meet in the parish hall. If the archdiocese is going to close succesful parishes like this, what's the point of being Catholic anymore? If this is because of the scandal, then the chickens are truly coming home to roost. This is just wrong.

David M., Waltham

Maybe we should close down all the schools, camps, etc. who have pedophile teachers and staff members and all the businesses that have people that inflict sexual harassment, ethnic, racial or religious descrimination. Maybe we should do away with societal structure all together. No because as many of you have pointed out the Catholic Church being guilty of...that's hiding rather than solving the problems. Although many think places of worship are obsolete, many of us still believe in the moral and spiritual structure of society and shouldn't be puhished for it. If people believed more in the foundations of society, maybe the world wouldn't be the sometimes evil place it is today.

sn, boston

My church was on the list to close. We never borrowed a dime from The Archdiocese of Boston. I went to all the meetings for closure why!!!!!! They already had them picked. Ray Flynn had a say in one church even though it will be millions to fix. It was all who knew who!!! Speak a different and your the first one on the list. Sad day for all who believe in the Catholic faith and their churches were closed. Get the money from Rome that's where the cover up began.

Brenda, South Boston

It's very sad that an institution, like the Catholic Church, which has contributed so much in the way of culture, civilization, and the care of those the rest of society has thrown away, has to take Draconian steps to insure it's survival here in Boston (or anywhere else for that matter). It surely is a sign of the times, and even if I am not a Catholic (practicing Pagan), I can understand the pain felt by those whose community is built around their churches. I am not sure that the archdiocese made the right decision based on the very real human need for spiritual comfort. In terms of hard numbers it was the right thing to do. My questions are these: The Church has always professed that the salvation of souls and the spiritual enlightenment are the most important objectives. Given the times that we live in the Church is needed far more than it ever has been. The closing of these parishes leaves a great gap. Who will fill this community need and is the Church/archdiocese responsible for those souls who now will slip through the cracks (according to their own doctrine). There are those who are turned off by the archdiocese by these closings, where will they go now? No matter what the reasonings, a deeply felt rift is being felt all throught the Commonwealth and may impact the Church as strongly as the sex scandals. When top Church leaders believe more in $$ signs than they do the the health of their spiritual communities something is very wrong.

deborah, boston

I think they all should be closed, less chance of children being molested

bill k, marlboro

Good riddance... the Catholic Church is beyond antiquated at this point, it is heading for total self destruction. Faith is an internal thing, religion is what screws everything up.

B.D., Worcester

It is sad that so many will suffer for the sins of a few and for the benefit of the few who were abused and received settlements. I am not in favor of the cash settlements to the victims since it only creates more victims - support should be provided to them instead in non-cash methods only ( counseling, education, job placement assistance etc) - paying them cash does not erase the terrible things that happened to them and putting a cash value on their suffering only increases the indignities that they suffered.

Doug, E Boston