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

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This is a very sad day and it does start a new phase in the history of Boston Catholicism. Good luck to all. From old to renewed-let us hope that will be the case.

Joe, Boston

I've tried to react logically rather than with anger, yet it is difficult when I find myself wondering what to tell my daughter who now has two weeks in which to say good-bye to the schoool that's been her home for the past nine months. Not to mention wondering what to tell her about where she'll be next year given that enrollment guidelines for other public and private schools are ancient history. Find a place for her in another Catholic school? Even if it were possible to find an opening locally -- which I doubt it is -- well, call me crazy if I'm not entirely behind that idea.

Jen, Boston

It's a good sign that attendance is dropping and people are opening their eyes to the truth of what drives these hypocritical corporations. Over time, this church will continue to fade and become more and more obsolete. It's better than them continuing to change their stances eternally just to appease the general public and to rake in more donations and keep seats filled.

Nick, Weymouth

I think that it's a shame that parishes has to be closed and it is inevitable that they had to close in order to help pay the victims of clergy abuse. I think the church had it pretty easy because using Christ to abuse children is wrong and they are very fortunate that they are not all incarcerated for their crimes against these innocent victims.

James, Boston

While it may have been the correct financial decision, it certainly was not the best decision for the thousands of people who depend on the church. The Vatican has always held that souls are the most important part and the church the only salvation. Is the Catholic Church turning it's back on their sacred mission? If so, maybe the church closings are a good thing, but I sincerely pity the people whose lives have been centered around the church and are now disrupted.

mark, brockton

Not Holy Trinity, dear God, not Holy Trinity. Our immigrant forefathers helped to build it. Its Gothic altar, the beautiful statues, the solemn Latin mass. Alone, it survived the vandalism of the 1960s. First, the Archdiocese spent millions of dollars to renovate Catholic churches after Vatican II. Then, all the Catholics left the renovated churches. Now, the vandals are back. Where will my children go to hear our language, the language of our fathers in the faith? Where will my children go to hear our music, Mozart and Gregorian chant? "If I forget you O Jerusalem ... "

Steve, Arlington

Sadly, my parish St. George is closing. The entire reconfiguration process has been misused. St. George had a black mark against it for sometime now. Partly in location, partly because our pastor was not the most popular in the cluster, and sadly we were unable to be represented accurately within the cluster. I feel the new welcoming parish will not support us; we have been on our own for years. Our religious ed children were never asked to be included in any of the youth ministries in town, yet our little parish never turned anyone away. We always welcomed new parishoners. Fr. Bill regretfully is retiring with a heavy heart, yet he did his best to keep us whole as a parish community. I regret my children will not have the chance to be married in the parish my husband and I have called home since childhood.

Patty, Norwood

My feelings on this....though it is very sad.....it shouldn't have to happen..."IF PRACTICING" catholics went to church...and not just spouting I am catholic..but, don't do anything about it, and, don't really go to church...on Sundays. So, it is due to attendance...issues...It is a shame we do have wonderful priests, in the church.. and they have to suffer, for others mistakes... Another thing, "THE ABUSE".....if people don't understand that it is a "HUMAN MENTAL ILLNESS" then they have problems themselves...."HUMAN BEINGING MALE OR FEMALE"..of the "HUMAN RACE"...it happens everywhere.....and those peole need help.... Why don't PEOPLE look at other religions that cover themselves up, so they won't be in the public eye...it happens...protestant, catholic,baptist, jahova witness, islam..."A human illness"....I am not condoling it, nor do I agree to it... "STOP" pointing the finger at one religion only...I know a friend, who knew some one was abused in the "Baptist" church...so for all those who are "Blaming the Catholic Church"...What do you think about this now? It does happen.... "Priests" are leaders of the Catholic church, but, they were men (human) first before they devoted themselves to God........ People that go astray, have weak faiths...or never had it at all...But, it's those that realize that have weak faiths and turn around, back to their faiths...shows a deeper faith then they realize...

Nancy, Fall River

I would just like to say that i am extremly upset about the choices that were made about the closings of local parishes. I have been an active member at St. James parish in Stoughton for about 10 years now, and I am devastated that it was chosen to be closed. St. James is not just a church its a family, a family that loves and cares for one another. We've worked together to keep our church going and we are doing just fine. I don't understand how they chose to close our church but not Our Lady of the Rosary, who was the first choice on which church to be closed. Is this how we are going fix these problems, by closing churchs and tearing people apart? Where are we supposed to go? I am in the 9th grade and have been in the Religious Education program here since the 1st grade. I am supposed to make my Confirmation next year, but now what can I do? What about the soon-to-be 2nd graders who are planning to make their First Communion? How do you explain that to them? I only hope that someone can think of a way to reverse this horrible process before it goes any further, and breaks more peoples hearts, especially the childrens.

Megan, Stoughton

Now that the Most Reverend Archbishop of Boston has completed what he was sent to do, maybe he can pack his bags with the luggage tags that say "Rome" on them. For whatever number of people who remain associated with the institution called the Archdiocese of Boston, it's time to demand a "healer" as spiritual leader. The people have realized they can vote with they feet and wallets in their search for a meaningful faith experience. Perhaps the next "overseer" of the faithful will be sensitive and responsibile to their real faith and community needs. We need no more proponents of "Churchianity", leading people to put faith and resources into an organization rather than seeking a life changing search to "Live justly, love mercy and walk humbly with their God." It isn't the "spirit of the most high" that has pushed people out the doors of the Roman Catholic church...or was it?

Jay, Lynn