UPDATED: St. Monica's Parishioners Killed by Somali Pirates; Readers React

(Updated on 2.25 at 6 p.m.): "Respectful condolences to the families of the dead," a reader named Hypatia writes.

"And disgust with the usual ham-handed US approach, trying to intercept the pirates before they took hostages to Somalia. Leaving such delicate maneuvers to polititicans [sic] and/or military commanders is how we got into Iraq and Afghanistan.

"That said, one has to wonder what these Bible-distributing yachters were doing in the most dangerous waters on earth-- Pirate Alley! We read that they left the group flotilla, perhaps to get fuel. A reckless move. Lots of 'shoulds'. They should have been carrying backup fuel. They should have requested some from other flotilla members. They should have been relying on common sense instead of -- one speculates -- on their religion to safeguard them.

"Perhaps if they had been distributing helpful things like solar cookers or antibiotics or AIDs [sic] education, or even cash for poor women to start micro-industries, rather than the holy books of their particular religion, they might have been more commonsense about their routes."

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(Updated on 2.25 at 10:45 a.m.): Santa Monica Patch readers are continuing to share their thoughts about the deaths of Jean and Scott Adam.

"I worked with Jean (then Jean Savage) until the day she retired in 1999," Cheryl Tormey wrote. "She was an excellent dentist and respected by those who knew her. At the time she was the President of the California Dental Examiners. She was full of eithics [sic], an integrity. She was a wonderful boss. At the end of each day, she would thank me, Debbie and Marilyn for a good days work. She made you feel appreciated. There are employers who could learn from her. I know she is with Lord. We would see all the priests at St Monicas as our patients. I was blessed to have known her and her kids, Drew and Brad. It is a sad way to have your life ended. But, ultimately she is with God and I am sure in HIS choir."

John Bettinger DDS, from Santa Monica, also knew Jean personally.

"Jean graduated from the UCLA school of dentistry a few years after me," he wrote. "She practiced dentistry in Santa Monica in the same building as me when she sold her practice and told me of her plans to sail with her husband. She was a great dentist, her patient's loved her and she was devoted to her profession. She was the first female president of the Dental Board of California and was a loyal member of the California Dental Association. We will all miss her, her spirit and energy. Our prayers are with her and her family."

Readers from outside Santa Monica have weighed in as well. "Just terrible!!!!so sad!..our prays are with you from holland xxx," wrote a woman named Janet.

"My condolences to the family & friends of the tragic loss of the Adam's," wrote Harry Thompson from Tuscon, Ariz.

Sol Atienza said she and her husband, Rick, are keeping the couple in their prayers.

"My husband and I may not know them personally but as Catholic/Christians, we feel the loss of our sisters and brothers, Jean, Phyllis Scott & Bob," Sol wrote. "We are all God's people. Our thoughts and prayers to their love ones, families and friends. ... The two couples's mission in life were already fulfilled so therefore they in a much better place now with God."

BeckyS also shared her thoughts: "God bless you, I have been praying for the family. May God's comfort overwhelm you and others."

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Santa Monica Patch readers from around the world have been sharing their thoughts about the tragedy that recently claimed the lives of two parishioners. Jean and Scott Adam were among four Americans shot and killed by pirates off the coast of Somalia on Tuesday.

(Go here and here to read about family and friends mourning the deaths of the Adams.)

The couple was on a voyage across the globe, distributing Bibles. Fittingly, Santa Monica Patch readers from this city to Kenya to New Zealand have weighed in on the tragedy.

"I worked with Scott several times when he was a [unit-production manager]," wrote. "He was the rare person of genuine kindness and integrity in a business sorely lacking in both. He was good at his job but not obsessed by it and always found time for humor. I enjoyed working with him very much and always remembered him fondly. That he came to such a violent end is shocking beyond words. I burst out crying when I heard as I'm sure many, many others have as well. He made a difference in his time on this planet. He will be remembered with love."

, who lives in Santa Monica, was also in shock. "This is so unbelievable—that people we all know well—could be gunned down in the middle of ocean," she wrote. "It all seems like a bad dream. We know where Scott and Jean are today and I pray that many will pick up the mantle and continue to do the work that they were doing. The lived their lives to the fullest and for the glory of God. May their work have everlasting benefits."

Another reader, , shared her thoughts from Auckland, New Zealand. "My heart goes out to family and friends of Jean and Scott," she wrote. "Wonderful people on a wonderful mission."

More than 8,500 miles away, agreed. "My condolences too," he wrote. "I received the news with horror I read every line with sadness. What could such a great couple face a painful death like these while on a mission to change the walfare [sic] of the innocent to understand the word of God. My God rest their souls in peace."

also sounded a religious note in his comment. "May they and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in the peace of Christ," he wrote. "Amen+"

If you knew either Jean or Scott Adam, or both of them, you are welcome to share your thoughts and reflections about them in the comments box below.

Editor's note: Kurt Orzeck is a parishioner at St. Monica's and previously served as a member of the church's Communications Committee.

This article was originally published on 2.23.