Boast-Worthy Bishops

The edition celebrating the bishops (Jan. 2-8) was very uplifting. I was aware of Archbishops (Raymond) Burke and (Charles) Chaput and their strong messages, but it was important to read of so many others and their public stands on the issues. The article on Archbishop Timothy Dolan, “John Paul Shows Bishops What They Should Be,” spotlighting his fidelity to the teachings of Pope John Paul II, was of major importance.

Bishops need our constant prayers so they can find strength to overcome the confusing theories in today’s society. I fear that the new leadership of the U.S. bishops’ conference will need refresher courses on moral principles lest they be confused by nonsensical ideas like the “consistent ethic” theory of the late Cardinal (Joseph) Bernardin. He lumped together so many general categories so as to limit truthful analysis. He included abortion, war, euthanasia, capital punishment, social justice and human rights under the “seamless garment” theory, which so generalizes the issues that the real moral principles are completely confused.

For example, comparing war and abortion is nonsensical. It was essential for us to go to war to help fight power-hungry Hitler who was out to conquer England, France and the United States. Who can compare killing in self-defense to the killing of our babies for our own convenience?

I suggest we pray for the bishops and priests when we say the rosary at the decade when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles. We must pray that they are made to understand the importance of their work. Their call to holiness must give them the strength to know, fight and speak out against evil as they did at the last election.

Delphine McClellan

Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

Baleful About Bishops

The front-page article “In Celebration of Bishops” (Jan. 2-8) leaves much to be said. I do not belong to any of the groups actively opposing some of them or their actions. But let’s be honest, if most of our bishops were leaders in the business world or political office, they would have been fired or voted out of office.

Shall we examine their record for the past 40 or so years? They permitted a liberal “do your own thing” type of Catholicism to take root in our schools, published white papers on the economy and military that were farcical, allowed pedophile and homosexual priests to remain in parishes, stood by while Mass attendance fell precipitously, have been almost absent in speaking out against premarital sex, ducked the 2004 election abortion question for what appeared to be liberal Democrat political leanings, have watched Catholic school populations plummet, don’t enforce the Mandatum in colleges in their dioceses, have watched 99% of Mass attendees receive Communion while only 5% go to confession annually, are aware that 90% of Catholics practice some form of birth control and that the divorce and abortion rates approach those of the general population, have seen the average contributions fall below other Christian and non-Christian denominations, and have done little while the numbers of priests and religious have fallen precipitously.

Yes, the “history of the Catholic Church is a history of the failure of the bishops.” Our bishops are continuing that statement admirably.

Fred Holt

Englewood, Florida

Catholic Identity Crisis

Regarding “Bishops’ New Initiative Defends Marriage” and “Pope on American Catholics in the Public Square: Evangelize the Culture/Strengthen Catholic Identity” (Jan. 2-8):

While a number of measures need to be taken, one that is absolutely essential for both strengthening marriage and for evangelization is an unequivocal emphasis on the principles enunciated by Pope Paul VI in Humanae Vitae.

The widespread practice of contraception by Catholic couples for the last 40 years has, to a large extent, negated the sacrificial element in the marriage vows and in married life and, by denying the teaching of Christ and the authority of his Church, has also blurred the very nature of Catholic identity.

Donald Murray

New York

Eye on Europe

I would like to congratulate Opus Dei Father C. John McCloskey on “Europe Revisited — and America Reconsidered” (Commentary & Opinion, Dec. 12-18). He is exactly on the mark.

The reality of the world situation has been completely overlooked by the media. By far the biggest story of the latter part of the 20th century is the depopulation of Europe. By 2050, large segments of Europe will be Islamicized. Islam itself has gone from an estimated 500 million people in 1950 to 1.2 billion people today.

Yet there is another factor at work. Islam itself has never been critically examined. It now faces its own internal cultural war. The Koran has never been questioned or put to the test of veracity. Yes, Europe may go through another “dark age.” But, as so many times before, “the way, the truth and the life” will always re-emerge. The Pope has a correct vision of the future.

The tree may be pruned. But a “new springtime” will breathe forth. We are a “resurrection” people. The signs of new life are all around us. Each of us need only be faithful in tending to our own “rocky little corner” of the Lord’s vineyard. The Lord will take care of all else.

Monsignor John Gilchrist

Harrison, New Jersey

Money-Grubbing Grief

Tim Drake’s report on the situation of dioceses facing priest abuse charges that far exceed the statute of limitations in many states is right on the money (“Dioceses Face Old Charges Against Priests,” Jan. 9-15). I am convinced that the greed of unscrupulous lawyers is fueling many of the lawsuit fires.

Shortly after the stories broke with the power of a tsunami, my husband and I were staying at a hotel in Scranton, Pa. While having breakfast downstairs in the charming, restored-train-station restaurant, we couldn’t help but overhear the disturbing conversation of a group of men sitting near us. Clearly lawyers having breakfast together, they very loudly were assessing what the clergy-abuse claims in the Catholic Church would do for them.

They proceeded to speak about how the Catholic Church has, and I quote, “big pockets” and that “there’s a lot of money to be made here.” Some specific cases and locations were mentioned. It was disgusting.

I firmly believe that the Church and our bishops should not be too quick or too naive in assuming that a priest is guilty as charged, especially when that priest is dead for many years. When it comes to money, the dregs of lawyerdom crawl out of their holes when they smell a feeding frenzy. Without dismissing valid, reasonable and legal claims of abuse, our Church leaders need first to protect the body of Christ from those who would try to destroy it for a few more bucks in their pockets.

Carolyn S. Hughes

Kendall Park, New Jersey

Darfur and Jihad

Thank you for publishing “‘Genocide’ Crisis in Darfur” (Jan. 16-22) on the genocide currently unfolding in the South of the Sudan. I only wish that other papers, Catholic and other, would provide the same quality coverage of this critical story.

My only regret is that the reporter did not clearly state that the underlying basis of the genocide is the offenders’ loyalty to carrying out the jihad commandments of the pseudo-prophet Mohammed as expressed in the Koran and in his recorded sayings, the Hadith, as well as in Arab-Mohammedan traditions.

James Pawlak

West Allis, Wisconsin

Local Language Liberates

Regarding “Where Bishops Learn Spanish” (Jan. 2-8):

While it is indeed beneficial and often necessary for American Catholic clergy to learn a foreign language, aren’t immigrants equally obligated to learn English? Aren’t immigrants obligated to respect the heritage of their new homeland? It seems that too many immigrants today demand that citizens learn their language while insisting they, the immigrants, don’t have to learn the language of their new country.

In the past 10 years I have lived here in Dallas, I have witnessed such attitudes on a regular basis. However, it appears that too many Catholic clerical and lay leaders are neglecting to reiterate that immigrants are obligated to learn the language of their new nation, uphold its laws and respect its citizens. The foreigner’s fear that assimilation will somehow “erase” his native heritage is ludicrous.

Incidentally, I am not monolingual. Growing up from age 8 in Miami, I first learned Spanish from Cuban friends, Portuguese from Brazilian friends, and studied both languages in school through college. During my past 10 years in Dallas, I have helped three Latin American priests to learn English. The first, from Puerto Rico, warns immigrants who refuse to learn English that they are only hurting themselves. The second, from Colombia, observes that learning the official language is mandatory for living and working in most countries, and reaffirms that we have as much right as any other nation to require this of immigrants.

The third, from Ecuador, whom I am now assisting with English, indicates that abject immigrant neglect of their adopted land’s mother tongue can only result in tragic consequences for them as well as society. Their Nigerian fellow priest and friend concludes that immigrants, like everyone else, must work together for the common good — even when that requires learning another language. He adds that, if anyone wants to learn something badly enough, he can.

Holly Dutton

Dallas

Roe by the Numbers

We are embarrassed for you! The Jan. 23-29 editorial, titled ”The Bishops’ Pro-Life Savvy,” has Roe v. Wade occurring Jan. 22, 1972. In the same issue, Donald DeMarco’s column, “A Pro-Life Future: Young People Oppose Abortion,” says this Jan. 22 was the 31st anniversary of Roe v. Wade. 

Wrong on both counts! The Roe v. Wade decision was handed down on Jan. 22, 1973, making this Jan. 22 the 32nd anniversary.

Mary and Vance Salter

Miami, Florida

Editor’s reply: We stand red-faced — and corrected.