Father Coughlin

I was happy to see the recent letter defending Father Coughlin (see Letters, Nov. 17-23) after Gabriel Meyer had referred to him in an earlier article as a “pioneer of hate radio.” It is unjust.

Earlier this year, various members of the secular humanist establishment specifically moved against Patrick Buchanan and in general, the Church. They dredged up half-truths and lies concerning Father Coughlin so their campaign against Buchanan and the Church would be credible. It did well; many Catholics, still pursuing assimilation, went for the package.

Father Coughlin was an outstanding pastor and a radio pioneer in teaching catechetics. His role as a commentator on economic issues can certainly be questioned, but only against the background of the Great Depression and the fact that millions of immigrant and first generation Catholics were at the mercy of the power structure.

Can a functioning Catholic be anti-Semitic? Obviously not! Father Coughlin was a Catholic priest, in love with Jesus and the Eucharist. He denied being anti-Semitic, but admitted errors, the printing of the Protocols of Zion being one. Someday, a truthful biography of this good priest will be published, warts and all. Meanwhile, Catholics would do well to concentrate on the mission of Christ and beware of those who would vilify faithful priests.

John Patrick Stanton

Jenkintown, Pennsylvania

‘Self-evident’ religion

I disagree with David Schindler's view that Americans exhibit private theism but public atheism (“America's Dangerous Lack of Religious Drama,” Nov. 17-23). His analysis wrongly equates religious conviction with Church affiliation. The low profile of denominational religion in the nation's community life does not mean the absence of religious values.

Our Declaration of Independence speaks of “the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God,” and that it is “self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Were the signers of the declaration committed churchmen? Hardly. Jefferson was a rationalist Unitarian. Washington never declared himself a Christian and seemed to be of a deist mind-set. Franklin died a deist. Ethan Allen avowed that he was no Christian and accepted the appellation of deist.

Unlike these men, other signers undoubtedly had religious perceptions based on faith in divine revelation as taught by their Churches. However, despite theological diversity, these shapers of our national political values shared rational religious principles that were “self-evident” and not dependent on faith in a specific creed, sect, or denomination. Further, to this day, through law and public and private institutions, these principles continue to shape life in America and help curb selfish excesses that sometimes occur in democracy and capitalism. They are also mainstream America's best defense against the atheism and nihilism feared by Schindler.

David Keeney

San Diego, California

Cardinal Bernardin

I do not ordinarily read your newspaper but picked up a copy of the Nov. 24-30 edition because of the cover story about Cardinal Bernardin (“Joseph Cardinal Bernardin and the Art of Reconciliation”). I really appreciated the coverage your paper devoted to his death. Thoughtful and insightful perspectives were articulated by Jay Copp, Father William Stetson and Msgr. Philip Murnion.

I went on to read the editorial, “The Cardinal,” written by Joop Koopman, your editor. I was aghast to realize that he would use the occasion of the cardinal's death as an opportunity to vent his own disagreements with him. I would think it reasonable to express such opinions ordinarily, but not at the occasion of his death, and in particular because the editor acknowledges that such disagreement had frequently been aired in your pages previously.

Even more insulting than the ill-timed and poor decorum of Koopman's remarks was the fact that it was done under the scant veil of tribute. This included quotes of Cardinal Bernardin from a Register interview that were placed without any context whatsoever, and ending with the words: “rest in peace.”

The editorial was in poor taste. I would have expected better.

Robert Moynihan

Chicago, Illinois

I am very sorry to hear of your reaction to the editorial. Attacking the cardinal was farthest from my mind. However, as was noted, many Register readers, past and present, were often at odds with him. I tried to acknowledge that, while at the same time highlighting the cardinal's many accomplishments. It was good to hear you appreciated the rest of the coverage, though.

Joop Koopman

Your correspondence regarding the Register, its features and Catholic issues are welcome. Submissions should be typed double-space, and sent to: Letters to the Editor, National Catholic Register, 33 Rossotto Drive, Hamden, CT 06514; or faxed to: (203) 288-5157; or e-mailed to [email protected].