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 7

I am certain that the archdiocese has all the correct answers about why parish closings are needed: population shifts, limited financial resources, declining numbers of ordained. What you will not hear from them is the most fundamental truth underlying all the others. All the birds have come home to roost. The years of arrogant treatment of the laity by those who participate in the hierarchy's power and privileges have finally rolled around to the inescapable consequence. Those who have born the abuse, whether psychological, spiritual, or sexual, have stated with their purses or their feet that the institution is no longer worthy of their support. Unfortunately, it is the local faith communities that will pay the price as many find that their spiritual homes are closed and sold and they are told to move on. Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." Well, the hierarchy certainly looks upon us as a bunch of sheep, who will silently go wherever we're told to go and stand placidly while we are fleeced once again. Only this time it is going over the top, trying to sell the sacrifices of countless families who built these communities into thirty pieces of silver to pay the price of the hierarchy's own excesses and arrogance. At least it is now very clear that it isn't necessarily the cream that floats to the top. It is also quite clear that any institution that places its own affluence above the good of the people who maintain it is no longer worthy of their support. Waht is it that was written on the wall? You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting?

Randy, Lynn, MA

Good for Boston. But more needs to be closed. They abuse their tax-exempt status and add no true value to the community. Babylon the Great has fallen!!

ABE, BOSTON

What goes around comes around. Catholic churches are stuck in the 50's with thier beliefs. They are not coneccted to the pulse of the vast majority. They clearly mishandled the abuse thing. How many Baptist, Piscapalian, Lutheran etc churches are closing.....ZERO. The catholic church has justifiably received the stigma of "Your Grandmothers Church". Good Luck recruiting the next generation of priests and Nuns!! This is not a one time thing. Many more closings coming as Recruitment and donations dwindle. Most major donantions come from the elderly, Well your next generation of elderly does not have a high % of practicing catholics. GOOD BYE!!

Dave, Reading

I feel tremedously sad for the faithful Catholic laypeople. These church closings are a direct result of the actions (or should I say inactions) of Cardinal Law and his cronies. Perhaps the Vatican should take away his pension and donate it to the archdiocese to keep a church or two open.

Jeffrey, Quincy

Salem - St. James should be the one to close. It was on the list - but escaped the cut! Why......

Paul, Salem

The Catholic Church in Boston has lied to me for the last time. I am taking my faith and, more importantly to the Catholic Church, my money elsewhere.

Eileen, Quincy

It is unfortunate that the economic reality of the Church in Boston has led to the need to close parishes, but it clearly has. And we can debate the impact of the sexual abuse crisis, priestly celibacy and Cardinal Law's stifling tenure as prelate on creating this economic reality. But given that this is the economic and demographic reality of the Church today, I think the process was reasonable and fair. It's very hard to ask people to consider shutting their own parishes, it is questionable whether that's a realistic process. But the archbishop wanted to have parish-level input and provided a means to allow it. I'm glad there aren't more parishes closing. It's a very difficult issue to face and I hope the Church will be stronger because of this process.

Greg, Weston

I agree with the fellow from Boston who said this never would have happened but for the clergy sex abuse scandal. I left the church after 50 years in it and will never turn back - we have only just heard about the clergy who were CAUGHT! I'm sure that there are so many more. Many of the abused will never come forward (or are dead now, in institutions or jails), but their lives were RUINED by the very men to whom they confessed their little childhood sins with great shame. I have no forgiveness in my heart. Most people are blissfully ignorant of the long term effects of child abuse. One deals with it EVERY DAY in many different ways for the rest of one's life. I know.

Carolyn, Cambridge

all I can really say is that they did it to themselves. If they had appropraitely addressed the problems with their clergymen when the issues of abuse first arised, non of this would be taking place. Let these same people who are sad about the closings, be sad for all those who were abused as children by people who they trusted.

Bam, Quincy

I think that closing churches had become necessary due to dwindling attendance and a lack of priests. It's a shame for all the faithful of the closing parishes that they are losing their beloved church, but it is time for us Catholics to stay together and support Archbishop Sean and those affected by these difficult closings. If your parish is closing, instead of being angry and looking for someone to blame, look at this as an opportunity to get a fresh start in a new parish. The only reason these churches are closing is because of the lack of support - not necessarily financially, but support in the number of priests available and/or by participation of the people of the parish. Please help us all by supporting your new parish and Archbishop Sean in his difficult decision.

Brian, Milton