Bad Rap on the Rapper

Regarding “Singer Criticizes Church at Vatican Concert” (Media Watch, Jan. 4-10):

I hate to say that I am disappointed in you. While Miss [Lauryn] Hill's remarks were inappropriate and inaccurate, the response by the Catholic League was just childish. It is not the business of Catholics to air the personal problems of others.

If such people wish to do so on their own, then that is their business. But to bring such a thing up as a defense against Miss Hill's remarks is stooping not only to the same level but below it.

This is little better than calumny and by presenting it in the manner done in the article in question, you participated in it.

Eric Postma

Holland, Michigan

Don't Just Tell — Show

I am writing you today to implore you to utilize graphic abortion images in your newspaper to further the pro-life movement, as well as in the country and the world.

Although the use of such photos is considered a controversial move on the part of pro-life organizations, I insist that these images are perhaps the most effective means of conveying the message that abortion is no less than the murder of the innocent unborn. Being a small human being does not make a person less of one, nor does it diminish their value and right to life. The fact that the images are so awful to look at is undeniable because the viewer is witnessing evidence of a murder, and it makes them feel responsible to do something about it.

I am a woman who has always believed abortion is wrong. I did not, however, do anything personally to forward the cause of the pro-life movement. I never forced myself to look at graphic abortion images because my thought was, “I already believe abortion is wrong. Why would I want to put myself through the emotional pain of seeing it firsthand? After all, I would never personally have an abortion. It's enough to just have correct beliefs.” I could not have been more wrong.

Recently, I forced myself to look at these images and I was horrified by what I saw. My heart is broken over the fact that where you can clearly see a human body, our country — our world — allows murder of babies to be legal. Abortion is always wrong and always grievous, but the photos of the late-term abortions are so blatantly obvious that even if someone was unsure of the early-term abortions, I don't see how they could possibly conceive that these are not murder. As even the most tame image will show, one can clearly see human body parts and organs developing even in the earlier terms of pregnancy. But what about the images of babies being beheaded and dismembered or those who were burned? The majority of the public has no idea of the barbarism that takes place in this country.

As Catholics, we are responsible by God's command to protect life. We must set the example for the world in this regard by being the most prominent defenders of the unborn and all life. It is not enough to believe abortion is wrong. It is our calling as the Church of Jesus Christ to promote and support pro-life work and to lay down our lives if necessary for these innocents. I urge you to publish graphic abortion images — without apology — in your newspaper to encourage all Catholics to be socially and spiritually responsible in this regard.

DEBBIE THURMAN

Lawrenceville, Georgia

Standing Against the Storm

Regarding “Taking an Oath” (Mandatum series, Part 7, Feb. 1-7):

I worked for two years for the Fraternity of Priests, an associate ministry of Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, and have a deep respect for the work of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis community and their oneness with the Holy Father on the mandatum.

However, with all due respect for the great unsung heroes, those standing against the storm across the nation are the campus ministries at state universities. The fact is, more than 90% of our Catholic students go to state universities and many attend campus ministries like the one of which I am director.

Like ours, far too many campus ministries are understaffed. Staffs work long hours with little or no backing from their diocese. Nonetheless, these campus ministries year after year turn out many good solid vocations to the priesthood, religious life, single life and the married state. I think the Register can do a great service by highlighting the tremendous stories of our Catholic campus ministries at state universities.

God bless you. I thank the staff of the Register, which has blessed and enriched my vocation to the priesthood.

FATHER DAN COOK

Natchitoches, Louisiana

The writer is director of Catholic campus ministry at Northwestern State University and pastor of Holy Cross Church.

Killing Christianity?

Regarding “Jewish Group Calls Gibson's Passion Film ‘Painful’” (Feb. 1-7):

The first paragraph states: “The Anti-Defamation League said Mel Gibson's film, The Passion of the Christ, has the ‘potential to promote anti-Semitism’ through its ‘painful’ portrayal of Jews as being responsible for the death of Jesus.”

I know that this kind of “blame” has often been manifest in past history between Christians and Jews; however, good theology indicates that the truth is otherwise.

In Acts 2, verses 23 and 36, St. Peter would have us know that not just the Jews but all people, being sinners, have culpability in Christ's death. Yes, this fact is “sad and painful,” as the article also states.

But as truth would have it, the good news is that no one really can be legally convicted for killing Jesus quite simply because he is not dead!

DANIEL MALEY

Pittsburgh

Military Medicine

Re: “Was Catholic Navy Doctor Ordered to Practice ‘Bad Medicine’?” (Feb. 8-14):

Lt. Cmdr. Messé is to be commended for his courage in standing up for life. He has placed himself on the front lines. Hopefully, he will receive the fullest support from our Catholic chaplains and other Catholic military health care providers.

As a Navy physician assistant, I was in a similar situation, but fortunately I was supported by my non-Catholic superiors. When one non-Catholic physician (who opposed abortion) asked for my reasoning, I gave him my explanation. I also provided him with a copy of Dr. Janet Smith's presentation Contraception: Why Not. The next day he stated, “I think you Catholics are on the right track.”

Others have not been so fortunate. One individual was verbally reprimanded by his supervising physician, who overheard him explaining the abortive aspect of birth-control pills to a “Catholic” sailor who was requesting a refill.

It would be interesting to know how other Catholic military health care providers are interacting with patients seeking contraceptive services. It might make for an interesting study.

ROBERT C. MORASH

Bremerton, Washington

More Women, Please

I'm a new subscriber and look forward to receiving your fine paper. It's informative and encouraging in the news it gives about the Church. I appreciate the Canadian content, too.

May I offer some feedback? Personally, I'd like to read more about women in the Church — both lay and religious — but perhaps I've missed articles in previous issues. There have been some women featured in the issues I've read recently. I think I remember lovely, bright, young women's faces in the article about the Theology of the Body International Alliance.

You had a brief item about a young woman joining the community of Our Lady of the Trinity in the last issue — a “teaser.” A longer article would be great. What about a series featuring various communities? Maybe you've already done that. Also, what resources are there for pro-life moms with many little ones? What is the role of women in parishes? I loved the articles focusing on individual priests — what about sisters?

These are just suggestions. Thanks for a fine paper.

BETH ABRAHAM

Toronto

Catholic Kerry

Regarding “A New Kennedy? A Catholic Candidate from Massachusetts Who Puts Politics Before Faith” (Feb. 15-21):

Sen. John Kerry, who is one of the major candidates for president of the Untied States, claims to be a Catholic — but says he has “some differences with the Church.”

The senator has also revealed that his first act as president will be to issue an executive order allowing U.S. taxpayer funding of population-control centers abroad that advocate abortion.

Human life is one of the areas where Kerry departs from Church teachings. The issue for voters is whether it is moral to cast a ballot for a candidate who says he is Catholic and pro-abortion or an incumbent president who is Protestant and pro-life.

These Jan. 24 comments by John Kerry were televised on C-Span from New Hampshire.

FRANCIS MAHONEY

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Of Might and Right

Regarding “Still More on the War” (Letters, Feb. 1-7):

I question the philosophy from Mary Lou Peterson. In her letter, she justifies the war with the “we're bigger and stronger and they are the bad guys” philosophy. Whom does she put in our military cross hairs next: North Korea?

STAN GOULD

Virginia Beach, Virginia