Religion and Science

Regarding “What Do You Say When Kids Ask About Dinosaurs?” (In Depth, Aug. 21 issue):

Thank you so much for publishing the article. When I first saw it, I caught my breath, worried that it would promote creationism and deny evolution.

What a relief to read the article, and what a great summation of the whole problem! It gives an accurate description of the challenges kids (and parents) face today in dealing with the science vs. religion argument, and then it comes strongly and logically down on the side of both being the truth in their own place. St. Thomas Aquinas would approve.

And the bulleted summation of the Church’s teaching was really useful.

I’m cutting the article out and saving it (along with several more I’ve saved from the Register).

I’ll also be looking into Stacy Trasancos’ book.

Cathy Sahu

Alhambra, California

 

America’s Last Chance?

“Claiming to be wise they became fools.”

St. Paul had it right when he wrote to the people of the Roman-Christian community in the first century A.D.

He could be addressing the two political parties of today, with the one party’s political platform of solving problems with death and espousing the “culture of death,” i.e., abortion (women’s health issues), euthanasia (physician-assisted suicide) and (misunderstanding) terrorism.

The other political party’s members challenge and refute each other in their failed attempt to form a cohesive political call for a “culture of life” under a strong leadership willing to speak truth to power.

To return to that “culture of life,” it may be time to follow Abraham Lincoln’s words and make a decision for ourselves, as Americans, to form a government so “that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people and for the people will not perish from the earth.”

We have another chance to keep our nation the great hope of all peoples and of all nations.

We can vote, not as political-party operatives, but as free individuals, for the “culture of life” and again ask, as Lincoln did, for God’s help.

Donald Chisholm

Dillon, Colorado

 

Inspirational Shrine

I enjoyed reading the article “Holy Places to Pray” (Culture of Life, Aug. 7 issue).

It’s really great to see so many very beautiful places to pray. I have been fortunate to pray at a couple of them.

I must note, however, a very beautiful and inspirational shrine was inadvertently omitted from the list: the Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend, Iowa.

You really should see it! I remember going there as a young boy and just being amazed by it. Now, as an adult and a Catholic, it is even more meaningful and inspirational.

Dennis Dowell, OFS

Fort Madison, Iowa

 

Backward Step

Relative to “Ad Orientem: Right Worship Leads to Right Conduct” (In Depth, July 24 issue):

Facing east or the priest saying Mass with his back turned to the congregation is a backward step, in my opinion.

Did Christ have his back turned on the disciples at the Last Supper? I don’t think so.

When I was a young person, I remember the Mass in Latin and the priest with his back turned for most of the Mass.

I thought it was odd that we could not see the priest or understand what he was saying. At 67 years old today, I feel the same way.

With all the problems in the Church and all the problems in the world, why members of the hierarchy want to waste time on this issue is puzzling to me. It makes me think that some cardinals must have a lot of time on their hands, which is sad.

Joseph Nolan

Waterbury, Connecticut

 

The editor responds: Cardinal Robert Sarah, the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, has recommended the ad orientem posture for the Eucharistic Prayer, where the celebrant prays with the congregation. It’s not a turning of his back on the people, as you imply, but a joining in prayer. Since the sacrifice of the Mass is the central point of Catholic worship, this is part of a move, as favored by many, including Cardinal Sarah, to restore reverence to the Mass.

 

Filial Inspiration

Frank Diorio’s letter in the July 24 edition of the Register (“There’s No ‘Catholic Vote’”) inspired me to write our bishop regarding informing parishioners of making a moral vote against abortionist candidates.

In essence, my letter asked that the clergy be encouraged to speak from the pulpit on this important issue.

The reply I received was hurtful and angered me. This is how I responded:

“My spirit was hurt, and I was very angry when I received your reply. I waited and prayed earnestly, hoping the ache and anger would lessen before replying, as the material you sent was worthless and a ‘cop-out,’ as you did not address my concerns.

“How effective are sheets of paper as compared to a ‘faith-filled’ voice speaking from the pulpit (e.g., Billy Graham) telling ‘your flock’ the danger of voting for a pro-abortion candidate — one who gives no value to life.

“Bishops are failing their congregations. What happens when they come face-to-face with the Good Shepherd, who tended his flock while walking with a cross on his shoulder to his horrific death?

“What are you and the other bishops afraid of? As bishops — shepherds of your flocks — you have not only the right, but the duty, to ask your clergy to speak out, to oppose any candidate/party that shows no concern for a God-given life. Your parishioners deserve to hear this, need to know that abortion is a blight on this country, and to further this monstrosity by voting for a pro-abortion candidate is a moral decision.

“This year I will sit in the pew and silently cry for my fellow parishioners, who need to hear a ‘voice crying in the desert’ and find only ‘silence.’”

Name, city and state withheld

 

Formed Conscience

As a Catholic, I am obliged to vote. And, secondly, I am obliged to vote according to an informed conscience.

An informed conscience is not doing what I feel like doing or even what I want to do, but, rather, doing what I know to be right and not doing what I know to be wrong.

This applies to all areas of my life, even politics. In serious matters — and voting involves serious matters — not to do this deliberately, with full knowledge and consent, is hypocritical and seriously sinful.

For instance, to say that I am personally against abortion and also enforce the laws allowing abortion is a perfect example.

This is exactly what Sen. Tim Kaine, a Catholic and vice-presidential candidate to Hillary Clinton, is doing. Clinton supports abortion, artificial birth control, same-sex “marriage,” embryonic stem-cell research, euthanasia and other issues contrary to the Catholic faith. She even goes against religious liberty — when she said that Christians, and that includes Catholics, must give up their beliefs that abortion and artificial birth control are wrong. She also said that the law concerning approval of abortion and birth control must be enforced. Will those who are against all these positions be persecuted through the law for their long-held beliefs?

Although both Clinton and Donald Trump are troubling candidates for the presidency, they are the choices we have.

And it is not only the views they have; it’s the policies they would create that would affect the whole country. Trump is the candidate that most supports Catholic values and beliefs.

Catholics are obliged to not only inform their consciences on the issues, but also vote for the candidate that most upholds Catholic principles if they are to remain faithful to their Catholic faith.

The only exception would be if a candidate who supports Catholic principles is not electable; then they would go to those who are electable and vote for the candidate that most supports Catholic values.

Bishops and priests [and nonprofit groups like the Register] cannot endorse any candidate; however, it seems to me that they have an obligation to inform all Catholics of Catholic principles so that Catholics can vote with a clear conscience.

Dan Costello

Oakdale, California

 

Sacred Sainthood

Pertinent to “Why Miracles Should Remain a Requirement for Canonization” (In Depth, June 12 issue): I thank Brian O’Neel for writing such an informative article explaining the requirements for sainthood and other religious titles.

We have enough problems explaining why people are declared saints; without having a lot of miracles attached to the reason they are declared saints makes sainthood a vapid exercise.

The reasons O’Neel gives for this miracle necessity (former bishops declaring sainthood for their friends or political allies) is excellent and should be pronounced publicly at every occasion.

Again, an enlightening and very good article.

Ann Forsyth

Germantown, Tennessee