Legislator's Other Side

The Oct. 27 edition of the Register carried an article stating that Rep. Ed Pastor (D-Ariz.) recently made a lot of noise at a rally in Washington, protesting the treatment of immigrants (“Latino Marchers Push for Protection of Rights”). Pastor's concern for immigrants is limited only to those who are already born. He consistently votes against any proposed legislation destined to protect the unborn. His most recent action of this nature was a vote to sustain President Clinton's veto of the Partial-birth Abortion Ban Act.

Urban Kapler

Phoenix, Arizona

Rich Commentaries

We were overjoyed to see, once again, the Sunday Mass commentary (Next Sunday at Mass) by Father Peter John Cameron in the Register.

We take this opportunity to thank him for enriching our faith, not only by his commentaries but also through his many writings, especially those pertaining to the Blessed Mother. May God continue to bless him in all his endeavors. We are ever so grateful for his love of Jesus, Mary and Holy Mother Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Deja

New York, New York

Bridges for Democracy

What a wonderful editorial (“Bridge to the 21st Century”) in the Nov. 3-9 Register. Yes the Catholic wisdom so prevalent in years past in France and Germany must build the bridge if our democracy is to last.

Your summary and analysis of the talk by Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, the Archbishop of Paris, were lucid and right on target. His theme of the motto of the French Revolution—liberty, equality and fraternity—is what we need. Any two of these can degenerate into slavery without the third being active and present.

Thanks again for your newspaper and your intrepid editorials.

Patrick Donohoe

Annapolis, Maryland

Science Lite

This letter is in response to the article entitled “Pontifical Science Academy Banks on Stellar Cast” by Gabriel Meyer in the Dec. 1-7 Register.

The article boasts of the four U.S. appointees to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, listing their educational and professional research backgrounds, but unfortunately little or no evidence is cited to lend support to the Pope's recent statement on evolutionary theories that supposedly account for the biological origins of life.

The closest the report comes to any kind of explanation regarding evolution is the quotation from Dr. Paul Berg: “If you look at the whole picture, there are versions of organisms that are inefficient, these fall away, and we do move finally in a kind of stepwise process.” Is the man talking about macro-evolution, changing from one species to another (which has never yet been proven), or is he talking about small lateral variation changes within a species (micro-evolution)? The other three scientists lend no support toward the theory in this article.

Then there is the statement by Dr. Joseph Murray who does not say anything supporting or refuting evolution but instead comments on the disappointment he has about the Church's teaching on artificial insemination. He said: “Some Church leaders will come down hard on artificial insemination as if we scientists are playing God. We aren't. We're just working with the tools God gave us.” What kind of logic is this? I wonder if some abortionists say the same thing about their tools of the trade. At any rate, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states that artificial insemination is morally wrong.

In summary, the whole article is heavy on personality backgrounds but very light on any kind of hard scientific substance. We need to hear some good solid claims supporting the Pope's statement on evolution.

Phil Drietz

Redwood Falls, Minnesota

Weak Defense

I read with interest Father Robert Imbelli's plea for “Common Ground” (“‘Common Ground’ as Communion—A Witness for the Defense,” Dec. 22- 28). It heartens me to learn that this pastoral initiative invites participants to center more deeply on Christ, the Church and divine worship. What his essay lacks, however, is any reference to “the living Magisterium of the Church” (Donum Veritatis, 21). It's grace, we are told, “seeks to ensure that the people of God remain in the truth which sets free” (DV, 20).

Romanus Cessario OP

Brighton, Massachusetts

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