Mucho gracias for a great editorial, “Anti-War, Not Anti-American” (Feb. 9-15), and the balanced article on gun-control and self-defense, “Despite Snipers, Some Still Struggle with Church Teaching on Self-Defense” (same issue).

I have circulated your editorial to many people with a note describing it as “a compelling and thorough examination of the Iraqi crisis and threat to world peace” — along with an invitation to share reactions with me.

The other article represents a first, as I've never seen a fair, accurate and balanced report on the subject of gun-control and self-defense in a Catholic newspaper or other print medium. I expect you will receive many letters on both sides of gun-control and self-defense, which is good, and I hope that you can print some of them to help shed further light on the topics.

K. DALE ANDERSON

Randallstown, Maryland

Opportunity Missed?

I was sorry to read in your Prolife Victories column that Mercy High school of Farmington, Mich., cancelled a luncheon with Gov. Jennifer Granholm from its list of items to be auctioned off in a fundraiser (“No Gig for a Pro-Abort Gov,” March 2-8). The cancellation came after “a few” Mercy parents and alumnae said offering lunch with the governor would contradict the Catholic Church's pro-life teachings.

First, the fact that the item (lunch with the governor) was offered meant that Granholm has agreed to opening herself up to contact with constituents she knew would be pro-life. Second, the withdrawal was discourteous, as it had been offered as a fundraiser for a Catholic school. And third, institutions pandering to “a few” undermine the fortitude of the values the institution stands for.

These few have caused the school and the Catholic Church to be seen as insensitive, ungrateful and small-minded. This was an opportunity for open dialogue with a female politician about a very female issue. It could have been an opportunity for learning, on both sides. The governor is certainly entitled to her views, and the “few” parents and alumnae, theirs.

What a shame that the girls of Mercy High are being taught that polarization and rudeness are solutions! I envision the edition of the Mercy school paper involved with the governor in an open dialogue, leading to a series of articles that would educate young girls to what exactly abortion is and why the Church is against it, maybe tying in the latest research on breast cancer. Does the governor know about those latest statistics, as reported in the same issue of the Register?

Adults whose minds are [set] in concrete can damage the pliable, bouncing ball of an adolescent's questions.

RUTH M. TRUE

Salisbury, Massachusetts

Editor's note: Soon after our report ran, the school reversed its decision. See this week's Campus Watch for details.

Give Prayer and Fasting a Chance

Thank you for your coverage of the Pope's calls for peace in Iraq. The other day, I talked to a young Muslim girl who told me she had been praying and fasting for over a month so that there would not be another war in Iraq. She said that many of her relatives and friends had been killed in the Gulf War, and she did not want that to happen again. She went on to say that her family and friends here and in Iraq pray, fast and cry in the hope that there will be peace.

I think that many of us have not considered the terrible plight and suffering of the people in Iraq and what another war would do to their already ravaged country. Shortly after the Gulf War, Mother Teresa visited Iraq. She said that the devastation was unbelievable; so many little children and other civilians lost their lives. In spite of the fact that Saddam Hussein is one of the most vicious dictators in our world today, can we justify killing so many more Iraqis and our own soldiers — just to get rid of one man?

MADELINE FIORINO

Parker, Colorado

Clergy Abuse in Perspective

Thank you for a publication. I truly feel I can rely upon it for good journalism. I am the coordinator of our parish Scripture-study program. With every course, I hand out a list of references we rely upon. Your publication is listed on it.

I am writing to ask you to cover a topic that keeps coming up in our discussion groups. We have seen little published on it recently and do not know where to look for further information: What is the actual incidence of sexual misbehavior by priests?

It seems that the flow of accusations has slowed or stopped. Is this true, or has the media simply moved on? What are the current figures/statistics? It has appeared that the incidence, based upon earlier figures, was about 0.6% of all priests active in the last 40 years (340/48,000). Does this still hold? Certainly there must be a flurry of activity in the fields that study these things, and a better measure must be emerging.

Obviously, the only tolerable level is zero, but it would appear that the Catholic Church has already, according to the statistics we have seen, done better than many/most/all other groups. In the discussion groups of our program, and in other conversations with presumably well-read adults, it appears that there is an assumption that the numbers of priests in trouble is huge — when, in fact, the numbers available so far show otherwise.

So, I am writing to ask that you consider revisiting this topic, in light of the data which must be emerging, outlining the incidence in terms of comparisons that will help us to discuss the issue with a handle on the true scope. Unfortunately, as it stands now, too many Catholics, and of course non-Catholics, seem to think that a large proportion of priests are sexual predators. It would be good to get a current look at the facts. It would also be helpful, for future reference, to see what the reliable resources are.

PAUL KOWACI

Orange, Massachusetts

Editor's Note: Remember to distinguish between pedophilia and sexual abuse of minors. Occurrence of pedophilia is estimated at 0.3% (that is, 3/10 of 1%) of priests in research cited in Pedophiles and Priests: Anatomy of a Contemporary Crisis by Philip Jenkins (Replica Books, 2001). Research is ongoing as to the number of priests accused of abuse of minors. The New York Times recently did an exhaustive search of accusations — and found 1.8% of priests ordained during the past four decades were accused of sexual abuse of minors.

Don Bosco Behavior

I enjoyed your recent article about Don Bosco's educational system very much (“Making Them Behave: The Don Bosco Way,” Jan. 26-Feb. 1). As a Salesian cooperator in formation, I would like to add a few thoughts.

The educational system used by Don Bosco is called the “preventive method.” This was summed up into three words by Don Bosco: reason, religion and kindness.

Reason consists of making the rules known and dealing with the students respectfully. They are treated with trust and confidence. The preventive method seeks to remove and prevent opportunities for misbehavior. The educator always appeals to the students' better self in order to help them to see that hard work, good behavior and virtue are really in their best interests. It also seeks to prevent opportunities for falling into sin.

On religion, Don Bosco insisted that: “Frequent confession and Communion … are the pillars which must support the edifice of education.” We are mind, body and soul. You cannot just educate the mind without teaching the person's soul. The educator must set the example, lead a holy life, live the faith and encourage the students to do so as well.

Then there's kindness. In the preventive method, the teacher becomes a trusted friend. He/she takes part in activities, shows sincere interest in the students' interests and earns their confidence. Once educators know each student well and have developed a healthy and holy relationship with him, they are then able to more successfully influence a student and guide him to make wise choices.

The preventive method does require extra effort and great dedication on the part of the educator, but it is well worth it. It can be used in every situation and even by parents. The goal that Don Bosco set for this method was to help form faithful Catholic Christians and upright citizens.

BRITTANY HARRISON

Lake Villa, Illinois

Population Control Must Die

Regarding your ongoing coverage of the 30th anniversary of the legalization of abortion in the Roe v. Wade decision:

In 1972, President Nixon appointed John D. Rockefeller III to look into “the overpopulation problem.” Rockefeller reported back that, if something wasn't done soon, a major catastrophe would ensue. Shortly thereafter, Roe v. Wade was legalized.

Abortion is what it has always been — a means of population control. To frame it as a women's issue is to put up a smoke screen. Planned Parenthood, the National Organization for Women and all other frontline abortion-rights organizations are financed by the yankee dollar. Behind the scenes are the unnamed, unseen, untouched environmentalists. They are supported by the United Nations, humanists, socialists and all those foundations that buy into their philosophy. They are highly intelligent people and are well aware that abortion is premeditated murder.

Our only recourse is prayer, support of pro-life organizations and the defeat of the bought Democratic Party.

Peter Fiorillo

West Haven, Connecticut