Penitential Plea

Regarding “Catholic Hospitals to Study Implications of Pope's Words (May 9-15):

The article stated that we would be obliged to follow the Holy Father's position in our living wills. My living will states that I want nothing that would prolong my dying if I am in a vegetative state. That includes intravenous and feeding tubes, etc. I would like to be able to die when God calls me. I am afraid that, if my life is prolonged in suffering, it could lead to despair. I prefer to die a natural death and hope I will be in the state of grace right up to the end.

I have seen many people kept alive even for years because of extraordinary means and it seems to me to be a cruel thing to do to someone unless they themselves want it that way. My doctor recently noted on my chart at my request that, should I ever be diagnosed with cancer, I will do nothing about it. I would like to be able to offer my sufferings up to God for good purposes, especially for my children, and be kept as comfortable as possible until I die.

When I discussed my wishes with the priest in confession, he told me for my penance to write to you and further research the matter. Please help!

Name withheld

Editor's note: Readers?

We Are Winning

I have always enjoyed reading your excellent newspaper from start to finish but was especially taken by your fine editorial of May 23-29, “The Torturers Next Door.” In it you rightfully trace the source of the abuse of the prisoners’ scandal in Iraq to our bankrupt American culture. Respice fontem is the old Latin catchword: find the source.

The sex and violence that seem to be the very warp and woof of our society have, God forbid, made torturers of some of our soldiers. No wonder the Arabic world is loath to adopt our version of democracy, wanting no part of the licenses it tolerates or promotes.

In heartening contrast is the adjoining commentary by Cathy Ruse on “The Value of Life: Karen Hughes Was Right” (May 23-29). Here she presents some encouraging statistics. “In the last 10 years,” she writes, “there has been a seismic shift in public opinion on abortion … Today more Americans call themselves ‘pro-life’ than ‘pro-choice’ — 49% to 45%.” For those under 30 years of age the percentage is even higher: 60% think abortion should never be legal. And we might add — more and more of our bishops are speaking out boldly and forcefully against those who want to exterminate life.

We are winning the fight to reclaim our nation for God! May everyone redouble his and her prayers and sacrifices to see that this beloved land is once again God-fearing and God-obedient.

ARNOLD PAROLINE Montebello, California

Painful Perspective

It was painful to read the recent letter you published from Trappist Father James Connor (“Don't Judge Politicians,” May 30-June 5).

Father Connor seems to block out the reality of life in the United States. He is concerned that some U.S. bishops have focused on the contradiction of public officials who support abortion but would receive the Eucharist.

Father Connor, it is not that these officials are ignoring the abortion holocaust. That would be a serious offense for them and for us. But the Kennedys, Kerrys and McGreeveys are playing an active role in this unspeakable crime. They are consciously helping to kill innocent children and harm their mothers for life. They are not sitting on the sidelines doing nothing. They are an integral part of this massive evil.

Bless the bishops who have spoken out. May all of our bishops get on the same page with Pope John Paul II and the Church.

J.P. STANTON Jenkintown, Pennsylvania

Eucharistic Confrontation

I want to share my thoughts after reading an article in the May 9-15 issue titled “Invigorated by the Holy Father.”

The article interviewed Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick about the issue of pro-abortion politicians being denied Communion. This article really got me thinking. When he said, “I find it hard to see the Eucharist as a moment of confrontation,” I thought about John 6:22-71 when Jesus gave his Eucharistic discourse to his followers. He confronted them with the teaching on the Eucharist. As a result, “many of his followers withdrew and did not walk with him anymore” (John 6:66). Then he turned to his disciples and asked, “Are you going to leave me, also?” (John 6:67). The Eucharist was a point of confrontation for Christ, yet I believe there's a distinction to be made. It was during his teaching, not during the celebration of the Eucharist.

With this in mind I turned my thoughts to the Last Supper, when Jesus celebrated the Eucharist. During this celebration, Christ shared his body and blood with Judas after “the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas to betray him” (John 13:2). Jesus knew Judas’ intentions: “One of you will betray me” (John 13:21).

Yet there is another distinction I believe needs to be made. Judas’ sin was not yet a public sin. Imagine Judas obstinately persisting in his betrayal of Our Lord after the Resurrection and coming to the disciples to receive Communion. Would the disciples give it to him? Would Our Lord give it to him? I think it would be a contradiction to do so considering the Eucharist is the sacrament that expresses our unity and bond of charity.

I respect Cardinal McCarrick's concern that the Eucharist not become a “political tool,” but I do not think this is what our courageous bishops are doing who stand up for our Communion in faith. We are in the midst of a spiritual battle, good vs. evil, truth vs. deception. We need to stand up for the truth and make it clear.

I would like to see the bishops take advantage of this opportunity and go a step further clarifying the Church's teaching on contraception, considering that the issue of marriage is at the front of the battlefield right now also. I think it would be pastorally unwise to come out and say that those who are practicing contraception should not receive Communion. It would be better to encourage them to receive the sacrament of reconciliation and begin their journey back to full communion with the Church.

DAVID SCHROEDER Ripon, Wisconsin

Parallel Perfidies

Thank you for your continuing coverage regarding Catholic politicians and abortion. I have a question for the 46% of Catholics who would vote for a pro-abortion candidate.

If a politician refuses to be faithful to his or her church and the teachings of that church, why should we trust that he or she will be any more faithful to his or her country or the laws of that country?

E. MACKLIN Corpus Christi, Texas

Miracles Afoot

Thank you so much for your article of Jan. 25, “Nun's Program Gives Hope (And Faith) to Addicts.”

My husband and I are the very blessed and grateful parents of a daughter who lives in one of the “houses” of Comunita Cenacolo in Italy. Sister Elvira emphasizes that the journey of the child is truly meant to be the journey of the whole family toward ever-deeper conversion. This is our experience as we continue to grow in our hope and faith — certainly the most important journey of any life. What a gift Sister Elvira gives to the whole Church in her work with us.

Our daughter was not a drug addict but had other issues. She has been in community for a year and a half and I'd like to quote from her last letter to us: “I'm praying for the peace in my heart to forgive … I am beginning to trust in God for everything.”

These are words of a miracle occurring in our very own family. I'd like to encourage any parent who is at a loss with a very troubled teen to go to the website of the community today: www.comunitacenacolo. it/eng/index.htm.

Our trip into the community was guided by the Blessed Mother herself, I am sure. She is your mother, too. Ask her about it.

THERESE AND JOHN NOECKER St. Louis