Mostly Silent Shepherds

Our bishops are sending lay people a confusing message in response to the question of whether abortion supporter Sen. John Kerry should receive or be offered the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist (“Faith in the Spotlight,” April 25-May 1).

Several bishops have said he should not receive but they would not withhold Communion from him. Others have just said they would not refuse him Communion. Still others have said they will not offer Communion to him.

The Eucharist is a miraculous gift from God, a stunning example of the depth of his love for us. We must be spiritually prepared to receive the Eucharist and respond to God's love.

Promoters of abortion have caused the painful killing of some 46 million babies, the surreptitious injury of millions of young women told that abortion is a good and safe procedure and the promotion of abortion as a population-control measure — including spending our tax monies for compulsory abortion — in China. Kerry even supports the corruption of our young people through Planned Parenthood's promotion of contraception for teens.

The question of the worthy reception of the Eucharist has been with the Church throughout its history. St. Paul taught on the question in his first letter to the Corinthians. The scandal of pro-abortion Catholic politicians such as Kerry receiving Communion has been with us for 30 years. Catholics, indeed all people, deserve a unified statement and a unified position from the bishops — based on Church teaching and canon law — on whether promoters of the culture of death can be offered Communion.

Carolyn Naughton

Silver Spring, Maryland

Equality and Enemies

Regarding “Pornography and Iraq” (editorial, May 16-22):

With pride in America and our Armed Forces, I salute the vast majority of the men and women who serve our country with honor in Iraq, Afghanistan and other parts of the world. May God bless them and their families.

To allow the few who dishonor our country to become a reflection of our entire nation, and to place the blame for their actions on their commander-in-chief, is a form of treason.

Our soldiers in Iraq are not at war with the people of Iraq. Rather, they are peacemakers who have become victims of revenge and hatred by an unseen enemy who will even kill his own countrymen.

Without our military presence, mobs would rule a country that has lost the desire for peace.

In comparison, allowing a political party responsible for millions of deaths through abortion to resume power at any level of political life is a disgrace to every American who believes in the right to life according to our Constitution — which says we are all created equal.

Scandal is all around us, but the scandal of deliberate, willful abortion is the greatest scandal ever witnessed by any people — civilized or uncivilized.

Vincent Bemowski

Menasha, Wisconsin

Cracked Glass

What will it take for those in charge of priest formation to realize that homosexual orientation in the priesthood is a problem? When reminded of the fact that 80% of the sexual-abuse incidents involved homosexual predation on adolescent males (“NAC Rector: Abuse Scandal Hasn't Stopped Men From ‘Divine Call,’” April 25-May 1), Msgr. Kevin McCoy, rector of the North American College in Rome, urges caution not to jump to conclusions! Seems like 80% is strong evidence to be acted upon rather than a jump to conclusions.

While celibacy is crucial, as Msgr. McCoy indicates, how much more difficult will it be for a homosexual priest to remain celibate while living in close proximity with men? Also, will such a priest not always be an advocate, even unwittingly, for the homosexual lifestyle? Has Pope John Paul II not spoken against ordination of homosexuals as headlined in the Register in the recent past?

The introduction of even a small amount of error in Christ's Church has been likened to the tiny stone crack in a car windshield. It enlarges over time until the entire windshield must be replaced. If the 80% correlation doesn't cause Church leadership to rethink its policy of ordination of homosexuals, I suggest the crack in the windshield is very large, indeed.

Andrew J. Blazewicz Jr.

Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania

Meriting Mention

Having just read “A Man Fully Alive: Father Owen Keenan” (Priest Profile, May 30-June 5) and a few others prior, I must admit that I haven't done enough or been around enough to merit the honor. I was just on retreat last week with other diocesan priests, some of whom have been ordained for more than 60 years and who are still active. They're the type who deserve mention.

Nonetheless, I am happy with the article and am proud to be publicly recognized as a Pope John Paul II priest, which I proudly am!

Father Owen Keenan

St. Ignatius Church Mississauga, Ontario

Editor's Note: We agree that older priests deserve recognition — but we launched the Priest Profile as a way to show that young men are still hearing God's call — and responding to it generously. Readers who know of an exemplary 20- or 30-something priest are invited to nominate him for the Register spotlight by e-mailing [email protected]

Sadistic Soldiers

The editorial concerning the American abuse of Iraqi prisoners (“Pornography and Iraq,” May 16-22) made many valid points, but I believe it was overly simplistic to blame this evil on pornography.

When I was serving in the Navy, the ship I was on crossed the equator in September 1985. A certain traditional hazing occurred on that day, known as “crossing the line” or “wog day.” While taking part in this initiation was not compulsory, not to do so was regarded as dishonorable and made one a target of perpetual contempt.

Those of us who did take part in it were beaten on the buttocks with sawed-off fire hoses till we were literally black and blue, not to mention being subject to other countless and disgusting humiliations that went on for several hours. But the worst offense of the day was being ordered by “shellbacks” (sailors who had already crossed the equator) to simulate every variety of homosexual act upon each other.

Most of the “wogs” went along with such orders, but I refused — and was treated brutally as a result. And make no mistake, most of this was not done in any spirit of fun; it was done in an unmistakable spirit of sadism and even hatred.

Bear in mind, this was sailor against fellow sailor. So how hard is it to imagine what might happen to wartime enemies? I don't believe the abusers in Iraq were ordered to do these wretched things (which still would not excuse them); nor do I think this abuse was directed toward extracting any confessions. The abusers were simply having a “good time,” enjoying themselves the way certain sadists among the human race have always enjoyed doing.

With Pat Madrid, I am not surprised over this scandal in Iraq. But my explanation is somewhat different than his. Pornography? Sure, that could be part of the answer. But when we look at the mind-boggling evil that human beings do to others (including, of course, what Muslim terrorists do to others), explanations involving environment, politics, economics and immorality only partially suffice. A deeper and more meaningful explanation is Satan — who wants nothing more than to degrade and destroy, any way he can, the image of God in man.

JOHN LORANGER

Sparks, Nevada

Correction

The correct phone number for Quo Vadis Theatre (“To Transform Tinseltown,” Letters, June 6-12) is (408) 252-3530.