Wonderful Counselors

Regarding “Get Thee to a Therapist” (Oct. 23-29):

It is true that faith is such an important part of helping people through difficult times. If problems are not dealt with, relationships can still fall apart. This is where therapists and/or psychiatrists are needed. We are not failures if we admit to needing some extra help to keep relationships strong and healthy. In fact, we are wise to do so, especially if there are some real issues, such as anxiety or mental-health problems.

Seeking the help of a professional can save relationships, and keep people from losing hope. This fact, coupled with the frequent use of the sacraments, can make a tremendous difference.

Our 8-year-old daughter suffers from an anxiety disorder. We went through a period of time where we felt helpless and lost. Though we had our strong Catholic faith to hang on to, we knew we needed more help. With the assistance of therapy, we have gained our lives back. Although it takes work, all of the relationships in our family are thriving once again. We have great hope and are thankful for the therapy we are receiving.

Of course, making good use of the tradition of our Catholic sacraments is vital. We have sought out the sacrament of reconciliation for the healing of forgiveness for the relationships that were temporarily damaged during our period of struggles. As often as we can, we also partake in the sacrament of the Mass. Nothing is more healing than receiving the gift of Jesus!

I also found it interesting that Gregory Popcak recommended clients to receive the sacrament of anointing for moderate or serious emotional disturbances. We have yet to do this and it is something that we may seriously consider.

Thank you for a wonderful article that was filled with encouragement and hope. It is nice to know that our family is not in this struggle alone. Thank you, also, for your awesome and inspiring publication. I love it!

SHARON CLOSSICK

Wakefield, Rhode Island

Down With Cronyism

I am compelled to disagree with Bradley Mattes’ letter “Hooray for Harriet” (Oct. 23-29). He claimed that, since President Bush has a record of appointing pro-life judges, Harriet Miers must also be a good selection.

In fact, President Bush does not have a record of appointing pro-life judges. Only about 8% of his judicial appointments have been identified as pro-life (18 out of 220). The real percentage may be even lower, as several of these 18 judges defend stare decisis to protect Roe v. Wade. Based on this abysmal track record, no one should have supported Miers.

A majority of the active judges on the Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit were appointed by this President Bush. Yet the solicitor general did not even bother seeking their review of a decision by that court overturning the federal partial-birth abortion bill. The Bush appointees also failed to act on their own to reconsider that bad decision by their colleagues.

Judge John Jones III, who currently presides over the trial in Harrisburg on the issue of teaching evolution in school, is typical of Bush's appointments. Judge Jones’ qualification was that he served as co-chairman for the transition team of one of Bush's friends, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge. Tom Ridge is pro-choice and close enough to Jones to have appointed him to be chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, where Jones served for seven years. Judge Jones is widely expected to rule in favor of the ACLU in that trial.

Mr. Mattes does not justify how Bush passed over many superior candidates with solid pro-life records in order to pick Miers. Bush obviously picked Miers because she is his crony, not because of her views on abortion. Far too much is at stake to accept anything less than a top-notch nomination with a proven record on life issues.

ANDY SCHLAFLY

General Counsel

Association of American

Physicians and Surgeons

Far Hills, New Jersey

Mandating Imprudence?

I laud Bishop Robert Vasa and others who have made the wise decision not to support the letter of Article 12 of the 2002 Bishops Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (“Safety Programs in Dioceses Raise Questions,” Oct. 23-29).

Like too many of the U.S. bishops’ other knee-jerk reactions to the issue of clerical abuse of young people, Article 12 is much more politically correct than it is prudent.

Bishops have a serious responsibility to provide a safe environment for children who come in contact with members of the clergy. That responsibility is best met by eliminating from clerical ranks those who would abuse children. Bishops further meet their responsibility by making available, at the option and discretion of informed parents, programs designed to educate children regarding risks to them. Those programs, however, need to be based on sound Catholic doctrine and not developed in haste or borrowed from secular programs, which may or may not be consistent with Catholic teaching.

Further, such programs ought to be presented outside of regular school or religious-education classes. In-class hours would be better spent in other pursuits. Separating such programs from class time also avoids stigmatizing those whose parents opt to not have their children participate.

Like Teresa Kettlekamp, the executive director of the Bishops’ Office of Child and Youth Protection, I too served for 29 years in law enforcement — including 15 years as a chief of police. That experience leads me to a much different conclusion than Ms. Kettlekamp. She appears to believe that, absent mandatory programs taught in class, many children will not “get the message.” My experience is that, when dealing with potential youthful victims, anything short of “the message” being taught by responsible parents is likely to be a lesson that is not learned.

As the article noted, The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1653) provides that parents are the primary teachers of their children. Let us, as parents, do the job for which God will hold us accountable.

It may be politically correct for the Church to provide programs that make it look better in a court of law when defending itself against claims of clerical abuse. However, such programs, if “mandatory,” do parents, children and the Church itself a disservice. They are far from prudent.

JERRY BOYD

Baker City, Oregon

Childless Yet Blessed

I would like to respond to Joanna Bogle's column titled “Married, Without Children” (Spirit & Life, Oct. 23-29).

This is probably the most honest article about being childless that I have ever read. Most publications, particularly religious ones, will feature articles about couples who were initially childless but, through the grace of God, were finally able to bring a child into the world. However, those articles leave out those of us who remain childless, wondering if we are somehow not worthy or bearing children.

When I was growing up, my dream was to have 12 children. As I got older, I realized that I would be happy with just one child of my own. When even that did not happen, I would live with the loss: While I was teaching others’ children, I was not teaching my own child at home.

Somehow, with age and maturity, I have come to accept that my vocation is to teach others’ children as I now teach profoundly affected children who need total care. My students will always be babies. They will never tire of hearing “The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round.”

I would be deceiving others and myself if I stated that I have no regrets about being childless. I bump into that pain and loss on a regular basis. However, I no longer avert eye contact in order to mumble, “God had other plans” when people ask me if I have children.

Just this week, as I was spoon-feeding one of my students, a member of my staff questioned whether I wanted children. I looked her straight in the eye as I stated, “God denied me children, but he sent me something far greater. These are my children.”

To echo Ms. Bogle: Christ has never let me down.

ELAINE HERLIHY

New Haven, Connecticut

Thank God for Catholic Media

As a faithful reader of the Register, I must tell you that I read and enjoy each and every issue. When I finish reading the latest issue of the Register, I just look forward to the next issue.

I would like to comment on Father C. John McCloskey III's commentary, “The Triumph of Rita Rizzo,” in the Oct. 23-29 issue.

His review of Raymond Arroyo's new book — Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve and a Network of Miracles — was excellent.

I only wish that the names of Father John Corapi and Marcus Grodi had been included in the list of noted Catholics whose series are regularly shown on EWTN. These men do an awesome job of teaching adult education to anyone who is faithful in watching their programs.

Father Corapi's 50-tape series on the revised edition of the Catechism is a wonderful teaching tool.

Mr. Grodi's interviews of Catholic converts on his show, “The Journey Home,” should be such an inspiration to every Catholic and especially cradle Catholics. Watching this program, listening to guest after guest tell the story of their search for truth, can only make every Catholic appreciate the awesomeness of our Church.

Since parents are the primary religious-education teachers of their children, every parish bulletin in the United States should list the time and channel of Father Corapi's and Mr. Grodi's programs. These programs give parents the Catechism information needed to do their job.

I am very appreciative of the fact that I am living at a time when both the National Catholic Register and EWTN are available. What a blessing.

JEANNE B. THOMAS

LaGrange, Georgia