Rich in the Theological Virtues

My first task from Mother Abbess is to thank you. We are the community of Poor Clare nuns mentioned in a recent article you ran about the nuns and the conclave (“Poor Clares ‘Conclave’ Prayed for Pope,” June 12-18).

My second task is: Mother wondered if you might consider running a two-liner with a real photo of us? One of our communities advised it and so we thought it wouldn't hurt to ask. I have attached several photos to this from which you could choose if you decide to honor our request. If none of them suit you, there are more at our website, poorclarenuns.org.

The “domain” name is a recent gift to us from a young man here. When Mother finally decided to take the plunge and try using e-mail — another friend pays for that — the box included a website. I begged permission to try making a website and, with some reluctance, Mother gave it to me. Great! Only I had no idea how to do it, what “html” meant, etc. It was a long road, learning by studying sites of monasteries I found on the Web. That was back in 1999.

The newsletter itself is very new, just started last November. A good friend who has real savvy in such matters all but twisted my arm off in her effort to convince me that we should do this. During the past three years we have lost more than half of our income.

Since the very beginning of the foundation, three elderly Dutch religious donated their pensions to us; one has died and the other two needed to be admitted into retirement homes for medical assistance. That left us for the greater part dependent on our American friends, and the newsletter was envisioned by our friend as a good way to maintain contact.

I was not happy with that approach but went ahead, knowing it would be a wonderful, quiet way of reassuring people of the value of their faith and also forward the real reason the site exists: fostering vocations to the religious life. Through it we have been able to guide young women who contact us to monasteries in America, Germany and England, and our youngest found us through the site.

Perhaps the newest inquirer, if she is truly called, will have to come here (No monasteries are to be found in New Zealand).

Again, we thank you for your kindness. Living in a virtually pagan country, watching the circle of those who still believe grow ever smaller, it all makes such gestures as yours as moments of strength. Since the foundation we have grown from six to 11. We do not aspire to be large, just to be what is most essential: true daughters of the Church, true children of Our Father. God bless you.

SISTER MARY ANTONETTE

Eindhoven, Netherlands

Stem-Cell Sanity

President Bush would be completely justified in vetoing the so-called Stem-Cell Research Enhancement Act, which forces taxpayers to fund the unnecessary destruction of human embryos (“GOP House Okays Embryo Research,” June 12-18).

The fact is that we have made scientific progress toward curing maladies from paralysis to leukemia, but without destroying human embryos. On Thanksgiving Day last year, American and British studies were published that showed umbilical cord blood — and the stem cells it includes — could save the lives of many adults with leukemia who cannot find bone marrow donors.

Three young American women, Laura Dominguez, Susan Fajt and Melissa Holley, who suffered paralysis resulting from spinal cord injuries, have regained muscle control after serious spinal injuries, thanks to a procedure using adult stem cells taken from their own nasal tissue.

You may not have heard about them, even though on July 14, 2004, Fajt and 19-year-old Dominguez testified before the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space. They are among more than 20 patients successfully treated with their own adult stem cells by Dr. Carlos Lima, a neuropathologist at Egaz-Moniz Hospital in Lisbon, Portugal.

Dominguez and Fajt never though they would walk again after near-fatal automobile accidents that left them paralyzed with severe spinal-cord injuries. Dominguez was a quadriplegic at the age of 16, with a C6 vertebrae fracture, but treatment using her olfactory sinus stem cells helped her walk with braces.

There are almost 80 therapies — actual treatments, not theory or research — using adult stem cells. There have been over 250 adult stem-cell clinical trials. There are zero treatments using embryonic stem cells and there have been zero clinical trials.

The simple truth is that most progress in stem-cell research is being made using the adult, rather than the embryonic, variety. And the truth is that the secular press and the secular media are largely ignoring that fact, while portraying opponents of embryonic stem-cell research as heartless Bible-thumpers prolonging human suffering.

DANIEL JOHN SOBIESKI

Chicago

Off-Centering

Regarding “Centering Prayer Priest Dies Following Car Accident” (June 19-25):

I was surprised that you printed the obituary of Trappist Father Basil Penington without an accompanying article or some mention of the controversial nature of the “spirituality” he preached and wrote so much about.

Having been taught that “centering prayer” is not consistent with Catholic theology, I did some research.

The Vatican authored two documents on the irreconcilability of centering prayer with Catholic teaching: “Jesus Christ, the Bearer of the Water of Life,” issued by the Pontifical Council for Culture and the Pontifical Council on Interreligious Dialogue, and “A Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on Some Aspects Of Christian Meditation,” issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on Oct. 15, 1989.

Father Pennington's teaching has been controversial for years, and some mention should have been made of that, lest some readers come to believe his teaching is orthodox Catholicism. It is not.

RICHARD L. JOHNSON

Kirkland, Washington

Three's a Party

Regarding “Betrayal” (editorial, June 12-18):

You raised some excellent questions about the pro-life “leanings” of the Republican Party and, frankly, I believe actions and/or lack thereof, speak louder than words. Unfortunately, there is an appearance of the Catholic Church, as well as Catholic organizations (such as the Knights of Columbus) being “in bed” with the Republican Party, which impacts on how some rank-and-file Catholics vote.

Sen. Rick Santorum is a good example of one who is otherwise soundly pro-life, yet shows himself to be a Republican first, as when he supported Sen. Arlen Spector for another term — instead of the very qualified and pro-life competing Republican candidate.

Truth be known, I agree with the idea that the two-party monopoly is the major problem upsetting our government system. I'm hoping that a third party will be formed, with a firm pro-life platform as its base. Ideally, this third party's charter members will be courageous, currently serving members of Congress, otherwise unhappy with their respective political party.

At a minimum, this development would provide a real choice when it comes time to vote.

K. DALE ANDERSON

Randallstown, Maryland

Principle or Power?

I have been at a loss trying to understand why anyone who is really pro-life, and is willing to vote for candidates or deny votes for candidates based upon this issue above all others, would support the Republican Party (“Betrayal,” editorial, June 12-18).

When Ronald Reagan was elected, it seemed that the tide had finally turned. But absolutely nothing happened. Even Reagan's appointments to the Supreme Court (not to mention “pro-life” President Bush 41's appointments), as the major media like to say, “grew into” their offices.

Even the people that President G.W. Bush has nominated for the courts have not been pro-life; they would not overturn Roe v. Wade or Griswold. Sure, some of them would permit a few additional “restrictions” that might save a miniscule number of children, but the tide has turned. Abortion and “family planning” (i.e., contraception) is unconditionally accepted by the two major parties.

If Catholics woke up and abandoned these two parties and put their efforts into a third party, perhaps the Constitution Party (formerly the U.S. Taxpayers Party) it would guarantee Democratic wins for a while, but real change could be in the wings. Besides, eight years of Bill Clinton proved that this would not mean much of a change of course toward death and ceding our national sovereignty to the United Nations.

We could finally have a nation governed by men of principle instead of men desirous of ruling for the glory of power.

DANIEL A. PECK

Greenfield, Indiana

Father Gonzalez Fan

I just want to say that your article “Dynamo on the Divine” (Priest Profile, June 19-25) on Father Marcos Gonzalez is the truth. I hope others are inspired to imitate him. He was the assistant pastor in our St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church here in Camarillo, and was everything the article said, and more.

He taught a two-year Catechism course and was able to cover it while adding important background information as well. He was excellent in the confessional, and he was always the epitome of a Catholic priest.

The Church should be so blessed to have him and thousands more like him. St. Andrew's is fortunate to have Father Gonzalez. We miss him.

ROBERT E. WARREN

Camarillo, California

Correction

In Joanna Bogle's June 12-18 commentary “That Election in Britain,” the Latin phrase gaudium magnum (great joy) was incorrectly rendered “gaudium magnamum.” We regret the error.