Concerning the closing of Catholic churches, about 200 parishioners in this area are lost each year due to death. Others marry and move away to other parishes or out of the state. Parents are neglecting to pass on their faith to their children, relying on priests and nuns to do the job. But children relate more to parental example than anything taught by a priest or nun.

Each parish is a separate entity, and parishioners are responsible to help pay bills and upkeep. Individual churches are not supported by the pope or bishops financially.

Some people still give money to the collections; some do not contribute at all, yet should, to help support the parish.

Those who still go to church are fed, spiritually, by the sacramental system: confession to heal wounds of the soul; Eucharist to help be more Christ-like. If people do not participate in receiving the sacraments, they cause their own aridity of the soul.

Concerning the clergy who are pedophiles — no pope, cardinal, bishop or priest can reveal anything confessed to them in confession. All clergymen are bound by the seal of confession.

Also, many priests are not well, physically, and have various ailments, forcing them to retire early.

Because of those reasons and more, the bishop has no choice but to close some churches.

Gabrielle De Moras, Lewiston