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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There are no easy answers. There are definitely controversial decisions. But it will be great to be in a crowded church again.

JJG, Charlestown

I am very sad to hear that Sacred Heart in Gloucester AND St. Joachim's in Rockport are both closing. We were all speculating that they would merge parishes, not close them entirely. Also, the church where my parents were married and where my brother and I were both baptized in Everett is being closed. Very sad day for a lot of families. So many memories.

Kristin, Gloucester

It's sad. The Church hierarchy and leadership have created an atmosphere that has bred all sorts of problems, and who pays? The parishoners, of course. Declining attendance and sacramental activity are one thing, and can justify the occasional closing in some cases ... but it is the negligence of the powers-that-be in the Boston Archdiocese over the past 20, 30, 40 years that has brought it to this day. And here's a sobering thought: this is likely only the beginning. There will be more damaging changes in the years to come to help cope with the Church's poor financial position. But whatever you do, don't blame O'Malley. He's is not the reason 60 churches closed today. I truly believe he's doing the best he can with an untenable situation.

Tim, Waltham

I could care less.

Renee, Cambridge

St Susanna in Dedham... Please fight to stay open...They have made the wrong decision to close this church....

G, Boston

It's heartbreaking. I think the church will see a lapse in attendance as these parishes close while people begin to find a "new" parish to join. This is a very diffcult time for the Catholic Church in Boston, and a very diffficult time indeed for the faithful who feel as though they are losing their foundation.

Alison, Charlestown

As a catholic who grew up a few doors down from my church growing up and loved the experience of going to mass, functions, bazaars, etc. it makes me so sad. However I feel that church officials have done nothing but alienate people over the last several years. The world is changing and the church has fought that change/growth tooth and nail instead of trying to carve out a healthy place for itself in our society.

kelly, Boston

I wanted to start crying when I heard that the parish I grew up in was closing. I feel as though the Archbishop was not thinking of my community. The closing of the church means the death of the school, which has the highest rate of getting its students into Boston Latin School than the other two Catholic schools in area. I know we need to make changes to strenthen the archdiocese, but I DO NOT believe that the closing have nothing to do with the abuse scandal, as the archbishop claimed in his speech today.

Sarah, Brighton

Priests and Bishops come and go and usually spend a very short time (6 - 9 years) in any given parish; the laity are always there. A pastor I know says "Faith is a gift, religion costs money."; I believe that is the real reason behind these closings. The abuse settlements have crippled the Archdiocese financially and there is a desperate need to get money to make up for the money being paid out to the victims of sexual abuse (an ever growing list according to yesterday's newspapers). They can't wring the money out of us so they'll simply sell some more real estate. All those churches with their pews and stained glass windows that were paid for by the sweat of the hard working parishoners will probably end up in a scrap heap or an antique store. I firmly believe that no one at "Lake Street or the Cathedral" really cares.

George, Boston

This whole thing sickens me. The bottom line is that the innocent parishoners of these closing churches are taking it on the chin for the sins of the perverted priests the Archdiocese of Boston has bent over backwards to protect. How the Archdiocese can claim to be doing God's work is beyond me.

Soon to be Ex-Catholic, South Boston