Without being disrespectful, because I know that there are many very dedicated priests, I feel it necessary to express my opinion.

The last Masses at St. Joseph’s and St. Patrick’s churches were heart-wrenching and saddened me beyond words. Parishioners were told that diminished attendance and finance were the reasons for closure. Truth and accountability were not mentioned.

I don’t believe that it is the fault of parishioners but, rather, the sins of some priests and the secrecy and silence that caused teachers to be fired and churches to be closed. The indiscretions have gone on for years in silence. The public will never know how much money was paid for those sins.

Today, Catholics are not just affected financially, but are being emotionally and spiritually abused by the actions of their leaders. Parishioners should not be made to feel guilty.

Archbishop Bernard Law from Boston was asked to resign because he chose to look the other way. He has been reassigned to a position in Rome. What kind of punishment is that? The people from Boston are still paying his salary.

I don’t know much about Canon Law (Documents of Vatican II [1965], the Code of Canon Law [1983], and The Catechism of the Catholic Church [1995]), but I feel it prevents many honest, trustworthy and passionate priests from being the holy people they truly are, to do the work of God and serve their flock.

If people are fulfilled spiritually, they will give financially.

Dot McAtee, Lewiston