Letters 10.30.16

Readers respond to Register coverage.

(photo: Register Files)

Vote Pro-Life

The estimated total of abortions in the United States since 1973 exceeds 58.5 million (Life News, Jan. 14, 2016). The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the current population of the United States to be more than 324.7 million (Census.gov). We have now aborted the equivalent of more than 18% of the current population.

The combined population of the 26 least populated states of the United States (Census Bureau’s 2015 estimates) is less than the number of babies who have died by abortion. You could eliminate the total populations of Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming, and you still would not equal the number of babies who have died by abortion in the United States since the Supreme Court’s Jan. 22, 1973, Roe v. Wade decision.

Vote pro-life. Help save our country from extinction.

         Sister Mary Rose Reddy, DMML

         Rochester, New Hampshire

 

Faith-Based Voters Betrayed

Pertinent to “Kaine’s Conscience” (Editorial, Aug. 7 issue): It is all too often that I find myself writing these commentaries about the Democratic Party and its total disregard for Catholics (and all Christians) and Jews. Vice-presidential nominee Tim Kaine said, “… the right role for government is to let women make their own decisions.” If we accept that for sake of argument, I would then ask: If it is a woman’s choice, does it then have to be funded by the taxpayers? Does the organization that helps the woman make the decision have to be funded by the taxpayers, especially when said organization fails to provide alternative pro-life choices? Does any such organization promoting abortion choices and merchandising body parts have to be funded by taxpayers, in lieu of other organizations (providing anti-abortion options and traditional-values counseling) that are not funded and in some cases are facing lawsuits? Does any of this bother Mr. Kaine?

The same editorial that opened with that quote also made mention of Kristen Day, from Democrats for Life, who said, “The 2016 Democratic platform is a flat-out betrayal of millions of Democrats.” No, Ms. Day, the Democrats haven’t been betrayed by the DNC platform. That has been the platform for at least seven and a half years, and during two other DNC conventions. I don’t need a flowery four-column editorial to make that simple point.

         Charles Lopresto

         Phoenix, Arizona

 

Thanks for Speaking Up

Relative to “Preparing for Persecution” (In Depth, Sept. 18 issue): I want to express my appreciation to Msgr. Charles Pope for his thought-provoking article. I have often wondered why our bishops and pastors do not speak up about our country’s moral decline.

         Fidel Neria

         Roswell, New Mexico

 

 

Thank You, Archbishop

I just read Archbishop Charles Chaput’s column, “About Those Unthinking, Backward Catholics …” (Oct. 13, NCRegister.com and on page 11 of this issue). It is excellent! Every Catholic, of every political stripe, should be outraged by the recent leaks revealing that presidential campaign staff have plotted to start a “Catholic Spring” revolution within the Catholic Church and to separate its laity from Church teaching. (See story on page one.) We all know that this has been happening on a more subtle level for years … but it can no longer be denied. This is proof of an intentional, targeted attack on the body of Christ. It’s demonic.

I am heartsick but not surprised that it has come to this. For years, I have watched the Catholic Church I love let itself get pushed around. I have watched as Catholic politicians at the highest levels, without meaningful consequence, openly attack Church teaching while bragging about their Catholicism. I have watched as our government policies and court decisions grow increasingly punitive against the institutional Church and its members who try to live as witnesses to its truth. I have sat in despair, as I hear (with rare exception) nothing from the pulpit at Mass about the profound implications of what is happening around us and the reality of the spiritual battle we are fighting. 

Predictably, I have watched Catholic friends abandon the faith and our nation’s Judeo-Christian culture collapse. Religious liberty, by our own government and even by some Catholics, is now being called “discrimination.”

I am deeply grateful to Archbishop Chaput and for the many bishops, clergy and laity who have spoken out and worked tirelessly to fight for our religious freedom over the last few years. Unfortunately, it has not been enough to stem the overwhelming tide against the Church. It is not enough for singular bishops and priests to speak. It is not enough for the USCCB to release statements about specific pieces of legislation. It is not enough for people like me to write letters. The reality is that the average Catholic still has no idea of how serious a situation we now face.

It is time for our Church, in charity, to start fighting our enemies as hard as they are fighting us. We must speak boldly and in one voice — in every diocese, from every pulpit and from every pew. The USCCB, in my view, must make the choice to immediately use every tool of its human influence and to draw on every opportunity for divine grace, to defend the Church against these bigoted, anti-Catholic attacks and to fight this for what it is: a spiritual battle against the powers of darkness. We are now three weeks before the election, and in my view, we are at the last and final fork in the road. Our choice is imperfect, but clear. We can do nothing and watch the Church continue to be manipulated and persecuted in a manner that cannot be reversed, or we can take a bold stand to defend Christ and his Church as the faithful disciples we are called to be. Be not afraid!

I am reminded of the late Cardinal Francis George’s prophetic statement in 2010: “I will die in my bed. My successor will die in prison. His successor will die a martyr in the public square.”

His prediction is unfolding with astonishing speed. We can let it happen or we can fight with everything God has given us. I believe we will all be judged by what we do — or do not do — in this moment.

         Laura Luke

        Milford, Michigan