Popes and Anti-Semitism

“John Paul II Calls Anti-Semitism an ‘Offense Against God’” (Nov. 16-22) was a fine article, but contained a factual error.

The statement that Pope Pius XI was the first Pope to condemn anti-Semitism is clearly false. Pope Gregory the Great, who reigned from 590 AD to 604 AD, found it necessary to protect the Jews from persecution and loss of legal rights at the hands of the anti-Semites of that era.

I believe it is essential to point out that the Church has condemned anti-Semitism throughout history and not just in this century.

Joseph Simon

Richland Center, Wisconsin

Getting Richer

We ought not to be surprised by your report (“In the Giving Game, the Rich Give but the Poor Don't Gain,” Dec. 21-27) that some colleges and universities, are among those which have benefited the most from the increased giving by the wealthy, while the truly needy have languished with scarcely any increase at all in the amounts given them.

After all, the colleges and universities have the means to hire professionals who know well how to coerce contributions from their patrons by humiliating those who do not give, or do not give as generously as others. Is there anyone who does not receive annually a booklet from his alma mater in which are published the names of the donors to it, classification based upon the relative size of the gift, so that those who do not give will be humiliated that their classmates and fellow alumni find their names conspicuously absent?

Those who allow themselves to be coerced by these tactics ought to ponder Jesus' advice concerning almsgiving: “Therefore, when thou givest alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and streets, in order that they may be honored of men. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward” (Mt 6:2).

George Barrett Johns

Spring Grove, Pennsylvania

Capitalism and Cuba

I read the recent article on Cuba (“Marxist Makeover: Avoiding a Capitalist Invasion of Cuba,” Dec. 7-13) with interest. I also had access to a more complete version of the Vatican report on this subject that I believe merits comment. It shows that the liberals of this world, and some of our bishops, won't let go of their naive economic ideologies.

The terrible failure of the communist system in Cuba forces them to admit change is needed. However, a later paragraph gave away their agenda; they still believe in socialism. It says the Cubans need a free market “but make sure its mechanisms remain controlled by the state.”

Let's look at a few of the inconsistencies in their thinking. One prelate wants us to charge less for our goods and pay more for theirs. Ask anyone in business how long he or any company and its employees would last using this approach. Another Church official said “the Cuban economy will need huge investments of capital.” Where does he suppose it will originate? Surprise! It will come from the savings, investments, and profits made in capitalistic countries.

We also read that they feel “the Cubans have a basically nonconsumerist society.” Let's be honest, this is not by choice, it is because their wretched socialistic system has no goods for them to buy and their citizens have no money to pay for them. Does anyone think that Cubans don't want better clothes, more food, a new bicycle, a nicer home, etc.?

As has been said before, “Capitalism may not be the perfect economic system, but it is better than all the others.” The sooner our Church leaders learn this the better we all will be.

Fred Holt

Englewood, Florida