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 19

I'm sad about the news, but it was only a matter of time before it happened. The attendance of churchgoers have dramatically diminished over the years. Many young men now are not becoming priests so statistically their are only so many priests to go around in the future. Mostly the elderly population are the majority that attend mass, and in the next twenty years or so their won't have enought parishioners to keep church's open. So I believe they made their decision based on projected attendance and the shortage of priests.

Christine, Boston

After the shock has worn off, it will be time to consider what was wrong and what still is wrong with our parishes. It is amazing that a church that can't fill five pews on a Sunday can have so many people all stirred up and carrying on. Perhaps this will bring them back, issues and all. If you can't work out your problems and issues with the church, why do you care if it closes? I hope each person mourning the loss of their parish as well as each person relieved that their parish has spared finds their way into church, any church, this coming weekend and reevaluates what the church and more importantly God means to them. This is a fragile time where we need to move forward as a stronger community or else just give it up and let it fall by the wayside. There isn't room for half-heartedness anymore.

Inf, Boston

Number of parishes closed: 60 Approximate # of pedophile priests with less access to kids: 10 Protecting your children from church predators: Priceless

Rich, Brookline

The community of Charlestown is one square mile. (3) Catholic churches there are way, way too many. St Francis & St Mary's are both beautiful churches. The decision was logical and more than expected.

CC, Charlestown,MA

Closing parishes is one of the most horrendous things a bishop has to do. It is painful for everyone. I remember when my high school closed (St. Gregory, Dorchester) and how horrible that seemed to me. My heart and prayers go out to all those faithful communicants whose parishes must close. But - please remember, the Church is about Jesus Christ and the Sacraments! If we truly believe that, then we will travel the extra miles to go to Mass and receive the Eucharist. It would be wonderful indeed if no Church had to close! But, if people are not going to Church and the administering of the sacraments is very low and people are not or cannot contribute to the support of the Church, and men are not becoming priests to witness to Christ's salvation, then, there is no other option but to close some Churches. We live in a secular age when faith in God is not foremost in most people's minds. Let us all pray for these people who live in these parishes and make sure that they are all welcome into the parish that will be theirs now! It is a very sad day for all!! It makes me realize what it must have been like for Jewish people who had lived in the city and saw their synagogues close. It is a wrenching experience!

brenda, Boston Ma

Perhaps if these so called priests didnt abuse children the archdiocese would have money to keep these churches open. Looks to me like once again the people are the ones paying the price for the corruption within the Catholic Church. If they cant have our children, they'll take our church? How about they give up their hotels they own and the mansions they live in!

Christine, Tewksbury

It's very sad to see this happen. It is especially sad because we are seeing a lot of good services dissapear due to the mistakes of a few and the greed of others. I have some disagreements with certain positions of the Church, but like anything else I never expect to agree 100% with anybody or anything (It'd be pretty boring..) Nevertheless, faith is far greater than the mistakes committed by a few human-beings with psychological problems. To blame the Church for the mistakes of a few priests and some of the hierarchy is unfair and sad. I'm tired of righteous individuals on both sides who are too quick to pass on judgement. At the end, the most affected by all this are, as usual, the people who need the most help...

Luis, Boston

Today is a very sad day for the church, but they are just buildings, faith does not need a building! What I find even more sad, is the continued mean spirited attacks against the church and its teachings. What is wrong with you people???? Why the hatered? The faith and fundamental beliefs of the church did not cause the abuse, the teaching of the church did not casue the abuse. Men, not God committed and hid those attrocites against those children. Someone(s) posted that the Church is stuck in the past and that we as a nation are moving toward a more secular soceity, it is this secularism and belief that we can do whatever we want and not have to deal with consequqnces is what is going to be our demise! The true teachings of the church (faith, responsibility for one's own actions, loving thy neighbor) will save us all from the that fate.

GW BUSH, IS MY HERO

I visited St. Williams, Dorchester for the first time this last Sunday. I felt the Spirit's presence in this vibrant community even though I am not Vietnamese and do not speak Vietnamese. Families came and a youth choir sang the Mass. The church was packed. I come from a Muslim country where we are not granted space readily or easily to build churches and here we are in Boston closing churches. I wish we could translocate our physical churches to parts of the world where there exists overt or subtle religious persecution of this faith that we take for granted out here in the West. We are closing churches because we waver in cherishing and keeping the faith of our fathers and mothers...it is as simple as that...as we need not just numbers but quality numbers and members to keep the Church and parishes going.

Annet, Fitchburg

It's a sad time for all Catholics. The politics and hypocracy of the Church resulted in this terrible day. This is their penance and we are all suffering through it. The abuse scandals, the cover up and the arrogance of church leaders has undermined the dedication and service of so many wonderful priests, nuns and laypeople. I have to say that Bishop O'Malley has made the right decision to spare several of the Boston parishes and keep the children in their schools from entering the Boston Public system. I hope the parishoners at St. Augustine's in South Boston get their chance to appeal.

JM, Dorchester