MARCH 6, 2008

Seek Church teachings

I am dismayed at the content of many of the letters you receive and publish in The Catholic Sun. The message and sources quoted often show little or no knowledge of Catholic social justice teachings, Catholic values or even basic Gospel values. It is clear that some of the writers have failed to keep up with Catholic teachings and have not ever opened a papal encyclical or statement from the American bishops.

Even more disturbing is that the writers quote from such rich Catholic sources as the op-ed page of the Wall Street Journal, or the daily news from Fox. But most disturbing is the intentional misquoting and deceit through short quoting the Gospels or Catechism.

A recent letter to the editor objecting to a death penalty article is a good example (The Catholic Sun, Feb. 21). Not only did the writer use a partial quote, but he cut the quote short to illustrate his point. I would recommend that Paragraph 2267 of the Catechism be printed.

As adult Catholics we must commit ourselves not only to living the faith our Church and our Catholic tradition holds for us, but also we must continually strive to educate and form ourselves, keeping current our knowledge and support for the Gospel message of Christ held in trust for us by our Church. We must not fall prey to the temptations of a society whose 30-second sound bites lead us to a self-centered importance and patriotism that ignores the Good News brought to us in the person of Jesus. If we were to completely surrender to Jesus and the Gospel messages we would find that 87 times Jesus spoke to us all and said, “Follow me.”

Dan Wolford
Phoenix

Catholic position is clear

Re: the letter “On the death penalty”: The writer’s contention that the state should execute a prisoner rather than face that prisoner’s “potential lethality while in prison” smacks of the abortion rationale — better to kill the person than fix the system. It’s wrong to abort an accidental or unwanted pregnancy even if that child, once born, faces an uncertain upbringing. Bad future parenting doesn’t justify abortion. Likewise, broken prisons don’t justify capital punishment.

The Wall Street Journal op-ed piece the writer cited merely summarized a superficial correlation between narrow statistics. The op-ed may sound erudite to someone unfamiliar with probability and statistics, but its analysis is shallow. Here’s how I interpreted the stats: From 1979 through 1993 — a 15-year period following the resumption of capital punishment in the United States — the yearly murder rate increased even though executions increased 30-fold. The op-ed attempts to gloss over this by suggesting that the lesson of deterrence took a while to sink in. Perhaps, but 15 years is still a long time, suggesting that murderers are pretty dumb. I doubt any armed robber engages in quantitative analysis before shooting people in a 7-11.

Finally, as to the writer’s cherry-picking Catholic dogma to support a non-Catholic position, I counter with Genesis 18:20-33. Yes, the overall population of death row is a bad bunch, same as what Abraham faced in Sodom. But, our court system is flawed. There are innocent men on death row. The Lord agreed to spare Sodom for the sake of 10 good men. Some state governors have stayed their entire roll of executions for the sake of a few innocent men who may have been wrongly convicted.

The Catholic position on life is unimpeachable: No abortion, no death penalty. If you can’t hang with that, go worship elsewhere.

Tom Hogan
Phoenix

Receiving Communion

Re: “Communion in the hand is not the problem” (The Catholic Sun, Feb. 21): It echoed my deep concern when I read the earlier report in the Feb. 7 edition about a Vatican official advocating discussion of a return to the practice of receiving Holy Communion on the tongue, not in the hand.

As an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, both to the parish and the homebound for many years, I have seldom seen an attitude of less than reverence on the faces of my fellow recipients, no matter which method of reception they chose. And let’s be honest here: Jesus instituted coming to us in these earthly elements of bread and wine understanding we would choose to fall in the dust, if we were to really behold His glory. Reaching out to receive the Precious Body and Blood with a heart-felt “Amen” gives us a way of active, rather than passive, reception of Christ.

The final sentence of the letter is the most profound thing I have seen in your forum in a long time: “And who, of any of us, has the right to tell Jesus whom He can or cannot call to His supper?” In the Gospel of John, chapter 18, both in the “Prayer for the Disciples” and in the “prayer for all believers,” Jesus asks His heavenly Father to make all of his followers One, as He is One with His Father, our God.

All of us — journalists, readers and faithful — truly need each other.

D. Lelakowksi
Litchfield Park

What drives immigration?

At last, a detailed description of how our anti-immigration laws are affecting real people, entire families. I am grateful for the article by JD Long-Garcia (“Are Arizona’s immigration laws having an effect on churchgoers?” The Catholic Sun, Feb. 21).

I am saddened by how many Catholics harbor resentment and ill will toward the undocumented immigrant. We fail to recognize this issue as a right to life issue just as critical as the abortion issue.

We as Catholics need to know that our brothers and sisters are being supported in their struggle mostly by the Evangelical Hispanic faith communities. Our Catholic brethren accept their help reluctantly because they wait for Mother Church to take up their cause. They often feel abandoned by the Catholic community.

Latino families do not readily leave their country of birth. They are family-focused. Family is everything. It is the fountain of their knowledge, faith and love for God.

Why do they come here? Because of poverty. Poverty cannot wait for a visa. Why are they poor? No jobs. Remember the North America Free Trade Agreement? We gave them NAFTA without any guarantee of a level playing field such as good working conditions, fair wages and other benefits, which we Americans take for granted. Instead, NAFTA trashed the Mexican infrastructure making it impossible for the Mexican mom-and-pop businesses to compete against the big American companies. Many local businesses were lost. Then when the Indian and Chinese markets opened up, the American companies moved overseas leaving a bigger hole in the Mexican economy. We need to return to basics when our intent is to “help” other countries. We need win-win solutions by “doing to others as we would like others to do unto us.”

Rachel Pollack
Tempe

A country of laws

Re: “Are immigration laws having an effect on churchgoers?”: Most certainly, these laws will have an effect on churchgoers, but only if they are of illegal nature. I am sorry that people lose their jobs for being here illegally. But that is the law of this land; a law voted upon by the legal citizens and approved by the courts. They must be abided by if a decorum of civility and legality is to remain within this country. Is this nation not to be afforded a system of legality? Are we not entitled to a system of safety and security?

If abiding by the laws means a reduction of churchgoers, then so be it. But, I believe that we cannot continue to allow for illegality to reign in this country. It is unsafe and only continues to allow for a further degrading of society, and a mockery of the legal system in this country.

I realize the Church’s position; I also realize another truism — that we cannot continue to endorse every person who crosses here illegally. They need to be dealt with in accordance to our laws, and supported by their own country of origin.

Ed Kircher
Phoenix

Celebrating marriage

We read about Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted and the Celebrating Marriage event (“Couples mark decades of marriage,” The Catholic Sun, Feb. 21). Distance makes it difficult for us at St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Camp Verde to attend, so we asked Fr. Rey if we could have a celebration here at the same time.

With Fr. Rey’s blessing and support, we celebrated a beautiful Mass and a potluck luncheon and entertainment following. The response was very good and we plan to make it an annual parish event.

Fr. Rey’s Mass and homily sent us all home with a deeper appreciation for our spouse and the importance of our marriage. Thank you, Fr. Rey.

St. Frances Cabrini parishioners
Camp Verde

Back to Top

FEBRUARY 21, 2008

On the death penalty

Strong exception is taken here to the guest editorial “Ending cruel and unusual punishment in all its forms” (The Catholic Sun, Jan. 17). The premise that life imprisonment of an inmate without the possibility of parole, in lieu of executing him, has the same effectiveness and keeps society safe is false.

This ignores his potential lethality while in prison or in the event of his escape. However, of greater concern is that the article does not even address the deterrence effect of capital punishment. Consider the information provided in the Nov. 2, 2007, Wall Street Journal article, “Capital Punishment Works,” which shows the negative correlations, executions vs. murders: “when executions increase, murders decrease, and when executions decrease, murders increase.”

This very erudite, statistically sound research concludes that in effect, “Each execution carried out is correlated with about 74 fewer murders the following year.” Hardly the same effectiveness as life imprisonment.

Moreover, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, copyright 1994, states: “The traditional teaching of the Church has acknowledged as well-founded the right and duty of legitimate public authority to punish malefactors by means of penalties commensurate with the gravity of the crime, not excluding, in cases of extreme gravity, the death penalty.”

If the deliberate, premeditated killing of a person (first-degree murder) does not constitute “extreme gravity,” what in heaven’s name does?

John Comiskey
Sun City West

Communion in the hand is not the problem

Archbishop Ranjith blames reception of Communion in the hand for the laity’s “gradual and growing weakening of the attitude of reverence toward the sacred eucharistic species” (“Vatican official: Church should reconsider Communion in the hand,” The Catholic Sun, Feb. 7). The laity I know do not think of Communion as some 13th century “sacred eucharistic species.” We believe we receive God.

The Vatican official advocates a return to reception of Communion on the tongue, “just as a baby opens his mouth to receive nourishment from his mother, so should Catholics open their mouths to receive nourishment from Jesus.” That’s like asking adult Catholics to crawl back into the womb of Mother Church.

Yes, as Archbishop Ranjith says, God “must be received with awe and an attitude of humble adoration.” But reception on the tongue is no guarantee. I was close to 40 years old when first I held God in my own hands. I was totally struck with the thought: The God who created this unbelievable universe trusts me! God, God lies in my hands awaiting welcome into my body!” I’ve often wondered that God’s divine energy does not blow my body apart!

I was taught that the power of the sacrament is present, regardless of the state of the recipient, or the minister. And who, of any of us, has the right to tell Jesus whom He can or cannot call to His supper?

T. Criswell
Scottsdale

Moving the tabernacle, again

Thirty-some years ago, the Church decided that tabernacles needed to be moved off to the side of the sanctuaries from their positions of prominence at central altars in our churches. Large sums of money have been spent over the past decades to tear out central altars and move tabernacles off to side locations.

In recent parish bulletins, our pastor has informed us that the tabernacle needs to be moved back to a position of prominence, centered on the wall behind the altar. No doubt this will be at considerable expense to us parishioners.

I assume this change is not limited to just our parish. Couldn’t the money used for moving the tabernacle be put to better use, such as the ongoing Charity and Development Appeal?

John W. Baie
Sun City West

CDA supports women, children in crisis

I got choked up reading Ambria Hammel’s pro-life article in the recent edition (“CDA plays critical role in local pro-life services,” The Catholic Sun, Feb. 7). She did a very nice job reporting facts, and I liked the clarity with which she described the many facets of this important issue: the mother-to-be, the relatives and friends, and the nurses and counselors at the agencies offering support.

It was refreshing to learn in detail about the resources available for women who would otherwise not have the strength to make the correct decision. Places such as 1st Way Pregnancy Center, Rachel’s Vineyard, Maggie’s Place and the others mentioned are truly an example of Christian love, and of the true meaning of forgiveness.

The people who give of their time to this cause should be supported by the rest of us, that way we can have many more women like Ashley walking in our midst, not forgetting the children that might otherwise not come into our world. Thank you for your excellent (and intelligent) writing and reporting.

Bertica Garcia-Dubus
Chandler

FEBRUARY 7, 2008

Politics and morality

Your editorial “Ending cruel and unusual punishment in all its forms” brings up many important moral points about respect for human life and human dignity (The Catholic Sun, Jan. 17). I would like to point out, however, that it leaves its moral argument and delves into political discourse under the guise of moral argument when it discusses the need to “create more job opportunities, pay a living wage and broaden access to health care and affordable housing.”

There can be little debate among Christians that God is the author of life, and that we are made in His image. As such we are all deserving of dignity and life from conception to natural death. There is no such clarity about the concept of a “living wage.” In a liberal and free society a wage is determined between employer and employee in a free contract that no one else has any influence on or say in. For an outside party to champion a living wage, then, is for this outside party to claim that they have a right to supersede the freedom of employers and employees to set their own contract terms.

This outside party may have the best and in their opinion highest moral intentions, but their position is clearly a political one in that they are championing political rights, not moral absolutes. Were the editorial to champion the need for generosity and sharing it would be in keeping with its earlier moral arguments. Instead it champions wage controls that directly contradict at least the literal (if not the moral) teaching of Jesus’ parable of laborers in the vineyard (Matt 20: 1-16).

I am writing not to express an opinion on any political debate of the day, only to draw a distinction between political and moral arguments so that we may not be deceived as we work to follow God’s teaching that we render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s, and unto God that which is God’s.

Cliff Boyle
Scottsdale

Where are we on abortion?

An old college buddy of mine has a bumper sticker on his truck that says: “You can’t be both Catholic and pro-choice.”

Although I’ve always been a pro-life Catholic, I had to ask myself, “As a Catholic, what am I doing to fight abortion?”

We were trying to get the word out about a right-to-life luncheon 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Feb. 19 at Prince of Peace Church and were handing out fliers to various churches throughout the Sun City area, both Catholic as well as non-Catholic. We came across a non-denominational faith community and talked to the pastor there about it. He said he wouldn’t put the notice in his weekly bulletin as it was “controversial.” Our jaws dropped open.

The point is, on what side are we, as Catholic Christians, and what are we doing about abortion and euthanasia?

Incidentally, if you are interested in attending the luncheon, there is a donation of $10 to help defray the costs. There will be five dynamic speakers. Please call Charlie at (623) 271-9091 or Jim at (623) 594-4161 for further details. But hurry, the deadline is Feb. 8.

Charlie Hamper
Sun City

Back to Top

JANUARY 17, 2008

Study before the elections

As the Feb. 5 primary election approaches, many of us have heard of the recent statement from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops titled “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.” This is a very comprehensive consensus document that the bishops have provided in their tradition of assisting us every four years with our discernment during the general elections.

I have read and studied this statement four times now and find two sections particularly poignant and I’d like to share these ideas:

Section #3 (concerning the statement in general): “This is not new teaching but affirms what is taught by our Bishops Conference and the whole Church.”

Section #8: “This statement is intended to reflect and complement, not substitute for, the ongoing teaching of bishops in our own diocese and states.”

I think the two statements are important for us in the Diocese of Phoenix because we are blessed to have had our bishop, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, provide us with a very “user friendly” guide to these considerations when he authored “Catholics in the Public Square.” I suggest that we can get just as good guidance from this booklet and with a lot more clarity and simplicity then the current statement from the USCCB.

Dick Petersen
Mesa

“Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” is available on the Web: www.usccb.org/faithfulcitizenship.

Reflecting on report

Despite the questionable state of the economy and the present rate of unemployment, your financial appeal was a success. Major contributions were acknowledged and even the “widow’s mite” dollar was noted. Disbursements were made to organizations in need (“Annual Report,” The Catholic Sun, Jan. 3).

Financial support in all such philanthropic efforts is a tremendous burden, but it is not the prime motivating factor in charity.

While monetary revenues mount each year to fill specific needs, the gratis coin of heaven — love — is liberally poured out on the ever-increasing thousands in want. Many people possess resources that they are willing to share with the less fortunate. Others give themselves in service. Theirs is the true yardstick of any altruistic program.

Every hour of the day and night, loving Christ-like care is tendered without question to all who seek help. The unclean are bathed, the ill are nursed and the starving are fed. The ignored, forgotten and mistreated are made to feel that they, too, belong to the family of God. Accolades are not expected nor sought. The gift of faith, love and compassion, offered by individuals to the poorest of the poor at least merits a passing word of gratitude.

Without the priceless gift of self, charity would be woefully inadequate and meaningless to the greater of humanity.

Evelyn Lee
Sun City

New year, new peace

“A Season for Nonviolence,” Jan. 30-April 4, is a global 64-day educational, media and grassroots campaign dedicated to demonstrating that nonviolence is a powerful way to heal, transform and empower our lives and our communities. Inspired by the 50th and 30th memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., this international event honors their vision for an empowered, nonviolent world.

The Franciscan Renewal Center over the past three years has embraced this period with a combination of prayer services, liturgies and programs involving both ecumenical and interfaith organizations. This year the FRC will include programs with Fr. Eddie Fronske, OFM, speaking on the reconciliation of the Apache and other Native American nations in part through his efforts in Whiteriver, Ariz. This is scheduled for 7 p.m., Feb 1.

Other activities include the opening liturgy on Jan. 30 commemorating the assassination of Gandhi, a special program surrounding the life of Oscar Romero and closing liturgy on April 4, the anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

In between are over a dozen programs including noted best-selling author John Bradshaw, Fr. John Dear and many others. Visit the Web at www.thecasa.org or call (480) 948-7460 for a full schedule of programs and liturgies.

It is a time to reflect upon nonviolence as a spiritual practice and way of being in the world. The Franciscan Renewal Center events and rituals are held to remind us how we can create peace.

We encourage everyone in the diocese to consider and participate with the Franciscan Renewal Center throughout this season by using this time for a parish retreat and personal reflection. As we start our New Year please join the Franciscan Renewal Center in this “Season of Non-Violence.”

Charlie Brown
Scottsdale

Brown is the general manager of the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale.

JANUARY 3, 2008

Eye glasses in heaven?

I did enjoy the cartoon; “Welcome to Heaven” (Our Views, The Catholic Sun, Dec. 6). However, what’s with all the eyeglasses? I thought that after arriving in Heaven, there would not be any infirmities ever again? Even St. Peter is sporting a pair!

Marly Certrullo
Mesa

Good news

I commend you on the Nov. 1 publication. I have two pages in particular that are going to other people, including the funeral information and the “Your Catholic Neighbor” feature on Ellen Sweeney. I have lived here all my life and at 79 I can say, “thank you.”

St. Francis and St. Mary were my parishes. I graduated from St. Mary Girls’ High in 1947. It was across from the church. I went to a show recently at the Phoenix Convention Center and could not find a parking spot except for the underground parking garage serving the Diocesan Pastoral Center and St. Mary’s Basilica. Alleluia!

Thank you for your good news.

Mary Gill
Phoenix

Christmas hymns

The Dodge Theater in Phoenix has again presented the Christmas Spectacular by the Radio City Rockettes, which has been running in various cities for more than 70 years.

This is a superb show including, somewhat surprisingly, an elaborate and tasteful nativity scene or tableau. The nativity scene included traditional Christmas hymns, including “Silent Night,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “O Come All Ye Faithful.”

Unfortunately, these hymns are not very much in evidence in many Catholic churches during the Christmas season, just as throughout the year when familiar old hymns are rarely heard. It would be ironic if the best opportunity to hear traditional Christmas music would be provided by a high-kicking New York variety show.
Michael F. Cleary, M.D.
Scottsdale

Globalization bad for families

The European Parliament this week was warned by the European Large Families Confederation that the long-term economic well-being of large families is “seriously compromised” by current European Union family policies. This is further indication that the EU was a very bad idea.

The creation of the EU was one of the most profound acts of our time, which opened the doors and windows for the secularization of countries with deeply planted Catholic roots. The EU has promoted anti-family and pro-abortion legislation as well as the de-culturization of European countries.

Our presidents, current and past, have already set the wheels in motion for the establishment of a North American Union. Some think it is a good idea to merge Canada, Mexico and the United States into one great big melting pot. But we have the advantage of scrutinizing the effects of this type of experimentation in the EU.

Catholics, wake up! Just as we read in the parables, keep your lamps lit and be ready. Above all, pray.

Christina Pasterz
Glendale

Back to Top

DECEMBER 20, 2007

Count your blessings, share them with the community

The holidays often pass by in a blur. As we rush from mall to mall, from home to home, the true meaning of the holidays can get lost.

I recall a West Valley family who came to Catholic Charities last year — a mom and four kids living in their car, eating scraps from a dumpster. This scenario is so foreign to many of us, it’s easy to turn a blind eye. Yet with a little help, this family is now celebrating Christmas in one of our transitional homes. Not only do they have a roof over their heads, we helped the mother find work, and she is now able to provide food and gifts for her children. She says her kids are truly happy for the first time in years.

When you sit at the dinner table with loved ones, remember you’re blessed to have that meal, as there are many members of our community who haven’t had a hot meal in months. Imagine, scraps from a dumpster. The holidays are tough for people in need — a reminder of what they cannot afford. Remembering these folks during tough times represents the true meaning of Christmas: a gift of love, a willingness to share, help out and give back.

This Christmas, I urge you to reach out to at least one vulnerable Valley family. Whether that means volunteering for your favorite non-profit, sponsoring a family or donating funds to a charity, we all have the ability to brighten someone’s day — and holiday.

For more information about helping vulnerable children, families at risk and people in crisis throughout Central and Northern Arizona, visit us at www.catholiccharitiesaz.org.

Paul Martodam
Phoenix
Martodam is CEO of Catholic Charities Community Services.

Too much Kerry

I have to say, I was so disgusted with the full spread given to Sen. John Kerry, and disappointed in The Catholic Sun for giving such a person a full page in such a wonderful newspaper (“Kerry finds his voice on religion, three years after the campaign,” The Catholic Sun, Nov. 15).

Catholics are continually scrutinized by the mainstream for their values and beliefs. To hear an adult (Kerry) claim that he is Catholic but blames his affiliation with a political party as his reason for not following the values of his Church provides insight to the depth of his character. He is the epitome of the narcissistic entitlement generation that evolved from the baby boomer generation.

There are so many other Catholic politicians that are standing up for what they believe no matter the cost and I hope someday to find a full page spread on someone more committed to our faith.

Greg Myer
Goodyear

Bishop’s column welcomed

At this time of ever-increasing polarization over the immigration issue, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted’s article “The Virtue of Love: Welcoming the Stranger” is a timely reminder of our call as Christians to love, even when it is difficult, since love is the only response worthy of human dignity (Our Views, The Catholic Sun, Nov. 15).

I was especially moved by the way the bishop connected our call to love the stranger with our obligation to distinguish between legality and morality, using the example of the immorality of abortion law. Like the unborn child, migrants have so much potential to offer this nation, if we will receive them with the dignity they deserve.

Although America does have the right to humanely regulate immigration, the current laws governing immigration are inadequate, outdated and unjust, unresponsive both to the pressures of globalization which force people to migrate in search of their daily bread, and also to America’s need for migrant workers.

We categorize humanity as “legal” or “illegal,” wanted or unwanted, and then justify prejudice, persecution, and expulsion based on those categories, which have no connection to the dignity of each human person. If we as Catholics recognize the inalienable rights of the unborn, we too must recognize the rights of the “aliens” among us, who are truly our brothers and sisters, no longer strangers.

This teaching that “no man-made law, no circumstance, no custom can excuse us from the obligation to love our neighbor, whether the neighbor is a Samaritan or a Hispanic, whether he speaks our language or not,” is particularly necessary for our society to hear right now. I pray that this teaching may be promulgated from every pulpit in every parish in our diocese. Thanks to Bishop Olmsted for helping us understand that “the demands of Christ’s call to love our neighbor are great indeed.”

Connie Andersen
Phoenix

Never heard Mass in Latin

I take exception with the perception that a Catholic must be “new” if one has never heard the Latin Mass before (“Language of the Church,” The Catholic Sun, Nov. 15). I also have never heard the Latin Mass and I am a cradle Catholic. I was born in 1963 and attended Mass every Sunday with my family. Mass was celebrated in English, even at the Catholic high school that I attended. If you don’t know the language or even understand what you are saying, how can it have meaning?

I plan to obtain a copy of the Latin-English Missal, but I would not be comfortable with mispronouncing anything during the Mass or participating less fully in the celebration.

Bobbi Halverson
Phoenix

DECEMBER 6, 2007

‘Moral issue of our day’

How marvelous to see the Hispanic couples joined in holy matrimony (“14 couples welcomed into full communion with Church,” The Catholic Sun, Nov. 15).

Of all the Spanish Masses I have attended, two things are noticeable: there are a large number of small children and very few adults receiving Holy Communion. Cohabitation is indeed an endemic phenomenon. And it is not an OK lifestyle. It does not image God’s love of being permanent, faithful and life-giving. While not limited to Hispanics, it should signal to Church leaders the huge opportunity of evangelization necessary to reach this and future generations.

It needs to be reinforced that being outside of God’s grace is the most horrific condition we can find ourselves in. God’s laws must always come before man’s laws.

Full communion with the Church will help those couples to give credible witness and equip them to catechize their children, but also fulfill so many baptismal promises. God bless Fr. Charlie Goraieb for actively addressing a much-needed moral issue of our day.

Jeanne Fernando
Lake Havasu City

Sen. Kerry’s ‘doublespeak’

After reading the article about John Kerry (“Kerry finds his voice on religion, three years after the campaign,” The Catholic Sun, Nov. 15), what came to mind was “doublespeak” from Orwell’s “1984.”

How a man who came close to becoming president can twist Church dogma prohibiting abortion boggles the mind.

Referring to Church teaching, Kerry said, “You have a position on abortion, but you don’t have a policy. I have a policy.” What?

Had Kerry been elected, he would have been making the recent appointments to the Supreme Court. Is there any doubt in anyone’s mind that these people would share in his sectarian beliefs?

Pat Wira
Chandler

Beware book trilogy

We are grateful to Joyce Coronel for her column informing readers of the inherent dangers to the souls of our children posed by the contents of the trilogy “His Dark Materials” (“Shoppers beware: Trilogy of children’s books attacks Church,” The Catholic Sun, Nov. 1).

We enclosed a copy of the article in our latest newsletter to alert our members, and at our last meeting discussed ways to inform others. We all need to spread the word in order to halt the sales of these books whose author boasts that he is trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief.

Jane Walsh
Phoenix

Walsh is treasurer for Catholics United for the Faith, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Chapter

Harmless fiction

I was very disappointed in the comments made regarding “His Dark Materials.”

This trilogy of books is aimed at young adults and is an imaginative, complex masterpiece, rich in metaphor and allegory. We should be advised against books which are low in artistic merit — not because we don’t like one of the messages. That is the way of censorship.

Read the book. See the movie. Enjoy it. We are smart and strong enough to accept or reject its messages. So are our teenagers.

Gerry Corrigan
Phoenix

Participatio Actuoso

A recent letter writer is concerned that prayer responses in Latin will not allow him to participate fully, actively, consciously as prescribed by the Second Vatican Council (“Language barrier,” The Catholic Sun, Nov. 1).

Not only did Vatican II encourage “active participation,” (and, by the way, the retention of the Latin language as much as possible) but so did several popes before that when Mass was celebrated solely in Latin and the altar boys made all the responses.

Therefore, something more must be meant besides our audible “And also with you” or “We believe…” or “Our Father…”.

How have the popes suggested that we participate more fully?

When speaking about the liturgy to the U.S. bishops in 1998, Pope John Paul II said: “Active participation does not preclude the active passivity of silence, stillness, and listening; indeed, it demands it.”

And, I may add, when we cannot understand the language, say in foreign lands, we can purchase personal missals or those marvelous Magnificats.

Jane Kosco
Prescott

NOVEMBER 15, 2007

Language of the Church

Richard Hughes says it is hard to participate in Mass with a language that he’s never heard before (Letters, “Language barrier,” The Catholic Sun, Nov. 1). I have to wonder how long Mr. Hughes has been a Roman Catholic, since Latin has been the language of the Church since days of the Roman Empire.

Latin was (and still is) the universal and common bond of all Roman Catholics all over the world that joins them in prayer and participation in the Mass. This is how the Apostolic Church operated for more than a millennia until about 1970.

Imagine the foreign visitor or immigrant who’s never been to the United States, who’s never heard or spoken English. He manages to get through the language (with a little effort) by learning key phrases and words. He need not be fluent in the language to comprehend or understand the message that is being spoken.

I encourage Mr. Hughes to seek the numerous available sources on Latin-English prayer. Better yet, he might want to obtain a Latin-English Missal, that will not only have many of the prayers in it (in English translation), but the original Mass that has held the Church together for 2,000 years. He will be pleasantly surprised, as he reads (and prays, as Pope St. Pius X asked) that same Mass, as it explains the actual theology of the Church from beginning to end. In addition, he will discover the original context of those prayers as they are used within the Mass.

May St. Thomas Aquinas aid him (and others) in rediscovering the universal language of our beloved Church.

Dominus Vobiscum!

Karen Stewart
Tempe

Editorial missed the mark

The recent editorial from the Idaho Catholic Register (“A call to faith and patriotism,” The Catholic Sun, Nov. 1) was a mishmash of what should be separate issues. First it quotes the U.S. bishops saying we should enforce immigration law. Then it jumps to validating the good work done by migrants but underhandedly lumps in with them the undocumented and then continues the argument for better treatment of the migrants. This is spin doctoring unworthy of the truth that should be evident in a Catholic paper.

The line that really showed the intent of the article was “How do you feel about agents walking into a McDonald’s …and locking up undocumented customers whose only crime was ordering fast food?” The whole point is that that is not their only crime. They broke the law when they came into this country illegally! We have to stop substituting the word “undocumented” for “illegal.”

Does no one stop to consider the law-abiding citizens of Mexico who have applied to enter this country legally? Is it not a slap in the face to them when we indulge those who disparage the law and then expect no one to mind? If you want to make a case for cleaning up and speeding up our immigration application process, I’m with you 100 percent. But let’s not aid, abet and condone breaking the law.

Carolyn Gelazela
Surprise

Would Jesus welcome the immigrant?

I want to thank you for the courage to take a Catholic-Christian position and attitude toward the immigration crisis our nation is suffering.

Unfortunately we run into a lot of so-called Christians and Catholics who show no charity for our brothers and sisters that risk their lives every day in search of the American dream.

You are answering the question: What would Jesus do?

Marcos Garcia-Acosta
Chandler

Baby not an ‘it’

In regards to the story “Baby Shower reaps rewards for pregnancy center” (News Briefs, The Catholic Sun, Oct. 18), I would like to draw attention to the offensive use of the phrase “its real mother” as reference to an unborn child.

First of all, a child is either a “him” or “her” and never an “it.” Secondly, the unborn child’s “real mother” may not be the woman who gives birth to the child, but could be the mother who is graced with the gift of the child by virtue of adoption and the “birth” mother’s courage to make the ultimate gift of love. A “real mother” is the woman who raises a child, not necessarily the woman who gave birth to the child.

Jennifer L. Lefere
Phoenix

NOVEMBER 1, 2007

Language barrier

I’ve been told for years that Vatican II calls us to full, active, conscience participation in the Mass.

Now some parishes use Latin prayer responses. It’s hard to participate in a language you’ve never heard before.

Richard Hughes
Phoenix

Muslim letter to pope

Again, and yet again, The Catholic Sun comes up with an editorial (“Muslim letter calls for religious harmony,” The Catholic Sun, Oct. 18) that the secular print and most broadcast news media avoided. Thank you for giving us the significant rest of the story.

Bob Novascone
Scottsdale

Misperceptions over ‘seamless garment’

Re: Pat Goodman’s letter (“Consistent ethic of life,” The Catholic Sun, Oct. 18).

Goodman, like millions of U.S. Catholics, is misinformed about the late Cardinal Bernardin’s position on abortion. They have been tossed about by the winds of human trickery and deceived by the Prince of Lies (cf. Eph. 4, 11-14) via the liberal media that deliberately misrepresents the Cardinal’s position so that we Catholics would be comfortable voting for “pro-choice” politicians that have the “right” positions on other life issues (homosexual marriage, capital punishment, etc.) portrayed as morally equivalent to the five non-negotiable Catholic issues (abortion, euthanasia, same-sex marriage, embryonic stem-cell research and cloning).

Cardinal Bernardin considered the five non-negotiable issues “more fundamental than others” and often tried to correct the record.

Unfortunately, misperceptions still abound with regard to the “seamless garment” philosophy. Pope John Paul II’s Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life) emphasizes the Church’s stance against abortion and euthanasia. The U.S. bishops’ statement, Catholics in Political Life, urges that all bishops “continue to teach clearly… on our unequivocal commitment to the legal protection of human life from the moment of conception until natural death.”

These other life issues do matter, but they do not matter to the one who is not given the chance at life.

Joseph F. Spadafino
Mesa

Not all issues are equal

A Sun letter writer paraphrased Cardinal Bernardin’s “seamless garment” of life issues, and the letter implied that pro-lifers on Respect Life Sunday were ignoring the other issues when focused on abortion and euthanasia, and thus not fully clothed in the “seamless garment.” He suggested that they were actually naked in the emperor’s new clothes.

I’ve never found logic in this argument.

Catholics in good standing can and do disagree on all the issues listed except abortion and euthanasia, which are never licit under any circumstances. Catholics who reject this dogma reject Church authority. They are not in good standing with the Church regardless of their positions on the other issues. The open defiance of many prominent (self-described) Catholic politicians brings scandal, confusion and disunity to the Body of Christ.

It seems to me that the “seamless garment” of life is a shadowy cloak, shading in gray an otherwise black and white teaching of the Church. It provides political cover for dissenters with a wise-sounding but ultimately meaningless bundling of diverse issues, keeping many in the dark.

“And this is the judgment; because the light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the light, for their works were evil” Jn 3:19.

Larry Butler
Phoenix

Kung’s book has value

Re: the letter “Controversial book unworthy” (The Catholic Sun, Sept. 6):

In 1979 the Vatican no longer considered Hans Kung a Catholic theologian. He retired in 1996 as professor of ecumenical theology and director of the Institute for Ecumenical Research at the University of Tubingen where he was teaching in 1979. He never left the Church, or was ex-communicated.

To call his theology “not worth the paper and ink” is to display a sad ignorance and raises doubts that the letter writer had even read Kung’s work.

I have been reading the book in question, “Islam: Past, Present, and Future,” and find it very interesting and well written. It was through the excellent book review that appeared in the Sun (The Catholic Sun, Aug. 8) that made me aware of this vital book and for which I am very grateful.

Robert L. Nelson
Prescott

OCTOBER 18, 2007

‘Consistent ethic of life’

I was struck by the story “Respect Life Sunday” (The Catholic Sun, Oct. 4). I was especially glad to read about those who are working to defend and support the dignity of all human life. This is at the heart of Catholic social teaching, and it is our Catholic belief in a consistent ethic of life that drives our individual responses to the challenges we face in our world.

It was Chicago Cardinal Joseph Bernadin who helped link the “life issues” of abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, war, torture, the environment, health care for the poor and elderly, food for the hungry, economic injustice, immigration, nuclear weapons, poverty and racism all as vitally important components in the seamless garment of life. Focusing on one while ignoring the rest gives us less of a seamless garment and more of the emperor’s new clothes.

Pat Goodman
Phoenix

God’s blessings

Joyce Coronel’s recent column brought tears to my eyes (“Foolish pursuit of the ‘perfect’ baby,” The Catholic Sun, Oct. 4). I have a son who is affected by Cornelia de Lange syndrome, a genetic disorder, which results in global developmental delays.

While I would not wish the syndrome on any child, I think any feelings of anguish or suffering are mine alone. My son lives his life as God intended, unaware of what the secular world considers to be “the good life.” It is hard to always keep this in mind when we are bombarded with society’s values. His siblings and friends are unaware that there is anything “wrong” with Ray. He has unsocial behaviors that they accept as Ray just being Ray.

At the hospital the day after his birth, his pediatrician told me that there was something “wrong” with Ray. Being a lapsed Catholic at the time, I thought that I was being punished by God. I remember hoping that Ray would have a place in society, perhaps it would be a physical component only, he could be like Stephen Hawking — a brilliant mind in a non-functioning body. We finally got the diagnosis of CdLS (there is no genetic test for it) and I read all the material the CdLS Foundation sent to me; the outlook can be very bleak.

I have finally come to the conclusion, with the help of my Bible study class and all the friends that Ray and my family have made at Our Lady of the Valley and St. Raphael’s, that there is a life lesson I am being taught. They have shown us acceptance and love in a society where most of the things that society prizes, Ray will probably never attain.

It is not surprising that people want the “easy” route to perfection, instead of the anguish of the cross. God’s way is not our way and I thank Him every day for all the blessings that He has bestowed on my family.

Thank you for the great story, which I pray will help the blind to see.

Bobbi Halverson
Phoenix

Undocumented students

With great interest I read the story by Catholic News Service about the support Florida Bishop Thomas G. Wenski is giving the undocumented students who would be benefited by the bipartisan legislation known as the DREAM act (The Catholic Sun, Oct. 4).

I only wish the publication would share the message of compassion, hope and true respect for human dignity with the English readers of The Catholic Sun. The article was published only in Spanish.

The lack of support for the DREAM act is due to the misinformation, ignorance of the circumstances young people confront and also the failure of living life as true Catholics.

Jesus Christ experienced a situation similar to our DREAMS students as a foreigner in Egypt when He was young.

It is comforting to know the decisive position of the Catholic Church in defense of the young undocumented students whose only “crime” is to do the right things in life (excelling at school and having good moral character) and be an example for all the community.

Carmen Cornejo
Chandler

Extraordinary form of Mass

I’m delighted to see the resurgence of the Latin Mass in the Phoenix Diocese. The Latin Mass is a fantastic tool for deepening one’s faith and for exploring yet another dimension of God.

The assurance that the Latin Mass will not replace the Sunday Novus Ordo celebration is comforting as well. The Novus Ordo celebration ensures the Vatican II themes and renovations of the Mass still have a place in Catholic lives.

I look forward to the growth of not only my Catholic faith, but that of others!

Jessica Nicholls
Phoenix

OCTOBER 4, 2007

Skewed values

Why does our society hold those who are cruel or abuse animals to a higher standard than those who abuse and kill defenseless, innocent human beings?

Most likely, the police officer whose canine partner was inadvertently left in a hot car to die has beat himself up over the careless act which caused his death. Every news agency has flashed his picture on TV, over and over. Garnering the emotional outrage from the community seems to be their only intent.

Every day in our country, thousands of pre-born human beings are ripped from the safety of their mothers’ wombs, without so much as a blip on the social radar.

Something is wrong with this picture. Don’t get me wrong, I believe we are stewards of all the gifts given to us by our God. I love my pets. Why is it society’s care and concern for human beings is less than for animals? A parent who leaves a child in a hot car to die is given less attention than a police officer who did the same with his dog.

Christina Pasterz
Glendale

Blasphemous commercial

An anti-Catholic promotional spot aired twice during a late-night news program last month for cartoon series “Family Guy.” The animated sequence pictured a vested priest holding a chalice. A male character asked the priest, “Do you really believe that is the Blood of Christ?” The priest replied, “Yes, I do.” Then the male character made an inane comment, implying that the Lord must have felt the effects of wine. This response was coordinated with a jolly laugh track, of course.

As a Catholic, I am highly offended and dismayed that — yet again — one of the very basic beliefs of our Catholic faith has been targeted in this manner. This was not religious humor and this was not social commentary. While it does constitute a form of “free speech,” it was nothing short of Catholic bashing.

There is certainly a need for understanding and dialog regarding issues of religion, politics, race, etc. Humor is appropriate, if tasteful and respectful. I am not a fan of “political correctness;” however, if a similar comment were made regarding other religions, there would be outrage at this type of disparaging remark.

While this sort of anti-Catholic commentary is, regrettably, appearing more and more often in the media, as Catholics it is important for us to support the efforts of the Catholic Communications Campaign, the upcoming VirtueMedia campaign and other projects that present an appropriate media response informing people about our faith to offset deliberately offensive and misleading anti-Catholic portrayals in all areas of the media.

Mary Nave
Kingman

Killing isn’t compassion

Thank you so much for featuring the outstanding article “Compassion in the midst of tragedy” by Fr. Tad Pacholczyk (The Catholic Sun, Sept. 20). His statement about the real meaning of mercy killing is clear and concise and no Roman Catholic should miss his explanation of same. The Church is indeed blessed to have the gift of a fine priest and a brilliant scientist.

Eva E. Clark
Scottsdale

Catholics invited home

The Franciscan Renewal Center’s “Catholics Can Come Home” program is an invitation to people who have been disengaged or estranged from the Church. Our Franciscan community is eager to engage those Catholics who left their worshipping community for a variety of reasons.

We invite you to join in our process of reflection on your relationship with God and the Church. The program is not intended to pull you back into the Church, but to invite you to consider that possibility. We begin with the assumption that God meets us wherever we are on our faith journey.

Throughout the seven-week series, you are invited to share your thoughts and reflections as they relate to the group’s focus that evening. The series is intended for two groups of people: those baptized Catholics who are still “practicing” but want to update their understanding of the Catholic faith; and for those who may not be practicing but want to reflect with others on some issues that have come between them and their Church.

We do not have answers for all questions, nor can we undo hurt that has occurred. We can only offer hope and information along with the acceptance and reassurance that may assist you in the journey back to the Church — or in your decision to leave the Church so that you may “go in peace.”

It is our primary hope that this connection with the Church, for whatever reason brings you here, will result in an increased awareness of God’s love for you.

Whatever the reason, we will listen and be present to one another while we untangle the threads that have separated anyone from his or her journey with God.

Charlie Brown
Scottsdale

Brown is the general manager of the Franciscan Renewal Center. Visit www.thecasa.org/index.htm for information.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2007

Controversial figure

The bust of Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Taney, who authored the infamous Dred Scott decision, which affirmed the Constitution’s classification of slaves and their descendants as property without right to citizenship, should be retained as a memorial to the separation of church and state.

I agree with Joyce Coronel’s idea that there should be an inscription on the memorial noting that Taney was the author of Dred Scott (The Catholic Sun, Sept. 6). But the inscription shouldn’t stop there. It should also note that Taney, unlike George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, emancipated his slaves in his own lifetime, and, prior to joining the court, successfully defended abolitionist Jacob Gruber against the charge of inciting slaves to rebel.

At the time of the Dred Scott decision Taney was subject to Pope Gregory XVI’s apostolic letter, In Supremo Apostolatus, delivered at Baltimore in 1839, which condemned slavery in the strongest terms, prohibited Catholics from participating in the slave trade and from professing or teaching otherwise. Taney reasoned thus on setting aside his personal beliefs and denying Scott’s freedom:

“It is not the province of the court to decide upon the justice or injustice, the policy or impolicy, of these laws. The decision of that question belonged to the political or lawmaking power; to those who formed the sovereignty and framed the Constitution. The duty of the court is, to interpret the instrument they have framed, with the best lights we can obtain on the subject, and to administer it as we find it, according to its true intent and meaning when it was adopted.”

Taney is a good reminder to those of the liberal mind set who demand that Catholics respect the separation of church and state: be careful what you wish for.

For conservatives it would be a reminder that not every public official who disagrees with the pope gets excommunicated. As a matter of fact many American Catholics ignored Pope Gregory without consequence, including some bishops.

On the other hand, not far from Frederick, Md., where Taney’s controversial bust is situated, a few years after the Scott decision, George Gordon Meade, the commander of the Union army who had been born and baptized at Cadiz, Spain, decided that his troops would make their last stand against the invading forces of slavery at a small town we remember today: Gettysburg.

Jim McManus
Phoenix

Challenging the law

It was so sad to read the letter “Respecting the Law” (The Catholic Sun, Aug. 16). Sad because those comments are what we’ve been fed through the media for way too long and why immigrants are so severely discriminated against in Arizona today.

If something is legal it doesn’t make it right. To say that immigrants are criminals is wrong. As we all know, abortion is legal. Simply because it is legal doesn’t mean that we should begin to justify the murder of unborn children. Abortion is absolutely wrong just as the anti-immigration laws and attitudes so prevalent in Arizona today are wrong. This is America. When laws are wrong in our society we fight to change them, just like we have so proudly fought to right past historic wrongs (segregation, women not having the right to vote, etc.). I pray we never stop looking at our laws and blindly follow them simply because they are “the law.”

Please continue to share with us the wonderful information from the Church so that we may respond compassionately when people spout anti-immigration rhetoric.

Lisa Santa Cruz
Peoria

War of words

What is missing in the Harry Potter debate is the simple acknowledgement that words have influence. The pro-Potter group wants only to praise the words that relay messages about home, family and love. The anti-Potter group is alarmed by words that lead to the glorification of magic and witchcraft. It is important as parents providing this entertainment to our children that we keep in mind that both points of view are valid. We may be able to discern the good messages, but we also must be aware that the message that witches are superior to Muggles can be seductive.

It is important to discuss with your children all the books, movies, TV programs, etc. to discover just what points they are absorbing. It is not reasonable to simply approve or disapprove a book or movie without evaluating its potential for good or harm. Children are impressionable, and need the guidance of parents to be able to filter through the words that will influence them.

Nancy Peters
Agua Fria

Back to Top

SEPT. 6, 2007

Voting Catholic conscience

The recent stories about the Knights of Columbus national convention (The Catholic Sun, Aug. 16) quoted Supreme Knight Carl Anderson as saying that the Massachusetts Legislature should be ashamed for refusing to put the same-sex marriage issue on the 2008 ballot after receiving 170,000 signatures on a petition asking for a referendum.

What about the 16 of its members who voted against the referendum? Fifty votes were needed for passage, but only 45 supported the pro-marriage measure. If the 16 Knights had voted with a Catholic conscience, the referendum would have passed.

What an embarrassment this must be for the majority of faithful Knights.

Carol Suhr
Phoenix

Revisit of Pope John Paul II

I wish to mention a few of the wonderful remembrances of Pope John Paul II’s Arizona visit:

I traveled from Prescott Valley and my lasting memories include the attendance of the many orders of nuns in their colorful robes and how each group seemed so happy to greet the others.

My heart overflowed as the priests processed in and people of the crowd already assembled cried out the name of their parish priest as they spotted him. We were happy to see Pope John Paul II, but joyous that our priest was there.

And, lastly, I admired the efficiency of the students who each took a priest by the arm and directed him to his station to distribute Holy Communion.

This day remains as one of the happiest days of my life. Arizona truly shone that day!

M. Dolores Hankins
Mayer

Controversial book unworthy

Re: the recent CNS book review “Despite serious flaws, new book on Islam gets much right” should not have appeared in The Catholic Sun nor any other Catholic publication (The Catholic Sun, Aug. 16). While the opening paragraph acknowledges Fr. Kung as a controversial theologian, it fails to mention that the Vatican stripped him of his priestly teaching authority. Therefore all of his writing should be viewed with extreme caution, or not at all.

He has in his writing and public speaking continually challenged papal infallibility and said that birth control is a matter of personal choice. His “global ethic” of religious consensus proposes that if the religions of the world can negotiate a common belief then there will be peace among nations and religions. In doing so he denies the Catholic Church is the one true religion and pretends that men can negotiate a religion other than what is revealed by God and somehow the world will experience peace through the synthesis of a false religion.

Fr. Kung’s theology is not worth the paper and ink and is dangerous to unsuspecting or poorly catechized individuals.

Brian O’Sulllivan
Phoenix

Harry Potter: harmless fiction

I grew up looking forward every fall to the annual TV presentation of “The Wizard of Oz.” Amazingly, I didn’t grow up to practice witchcraft or wizardry.  It was clear to me even then as a child that the real story presented by the movie was not about magic and spells, but about home, family and love.

Truth exists on many levels, not only in the literal text. Speaking of comparing Beatrix Potter and Harry Potter, I’d like a little consistency. Either explain to me what kind of magic is required to make rabbits talk and act like humans or admit that the truth and value of the story of Peter Rabbit is more related to the ideas of family ties, disobedience and reconciliation, and honoring your parents.

There is a difference between getting the messages from a book of fiction and practicing witchcraft. I would argue that the main reason any work of good fiction is worth our time at all is not so much only to serve as escapism, but to help us see the larger truths that relate to our lives and the entire human condition.

When you start down the path of banning books, there will be few books of fiction (or movies) left that are literally true to Catholic teachings. Better get rid of the Star Wars series (what is the “Force” if not magic by another name?). Don’t read your children any fairy tales (watch out, Cinderella, Snow White and Shrek).

And the books that most children read while first learning to read (containing stories of talking dogs and bears, or knights and magic swords) would have to be disposed of, too. If good fiction isn’t worthwhile due to the underlying truths, maybe we should just ban reading it altogether.

Jeff La Benz
Chandler

Books as lessons

I find myself bemused by the recent Harry Potter controversy. When “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” movie came out in 2005, I do not remember any anti-Chronicles-of-Narnia backlash.  Could it be that because C.S. Lewis was a noted Christian writer, the books are more than 50 years old, or that there was no bandwagon to jump on about that movie? Clearly that movie, and the book on which it was based, deals with witchcraft, evil and magic. And like the Harry Potter series, it does so to teach a morality tale to children by engaging their imaginations.

Critics are correct in watching for ways evil may slip into a child’s life. I have read the books and watched the movies and use them as lessons to discuss with my child perseverance, discrimination, family, friendship and love. I am not afraid of her becoming a witch or sorceress because of Harry Potter. What I am afraid of is the ignorance of those condemning that which they do not know.

Julie DeGraffenreid
Phoenix

God nowhere to be found

I read with dismay the Harry Potter analysis in the Aug. 2 edition of The Catholic Sun. Harry Potter has often been compared to “The Chronicles of Narnia” or “The Lord of the Rings.” But there is truly no comparison.

Yes, Harry and his friends combat evil, but with what? With magic which has no source other than human knowledge, no transcendent good. For Harry Potter, the ultimate good is “love” — not Love rooted in God the Father, the Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, but human love. Human love is good — but it is not the good that can save.

Ultimately, Harry and his friends are dependent on themselves and the knowledge they have gained — a throwback to the sin of Adam and the ancient heresy of Gnosticism. How ironic and how sad that a recent issue of Time magazine would hit the nail on the head, stating that whoever else may die in the last book, God is definitely a casualty, while a Catholic newspaper sings the praises of a work so utterly devoid of Him.

Roberta Salamone
Tempe

No cause for concern

I am a 67-year-old Catholic grandmother who has read all the Harry Potter books and think the final story is wonderfully written. It truly is a battle with good winning out over evil. I cannot believe that Catholic readers will be condemned to hell for reading these books.

Adele Traficano-Rigoli
Mesa

AUGUST 16, 2007

Respecting the law

Re: “Undocumented not same as criminals, says Vatican official” (The Catholic Sun, July 19), I offer the following:

Although the article does address the human rights issues of these individuals, it fails to consider the laws of the country to which they migrate. The article is quite verbose on the fact that the migrants have a right to migrate, a right to a dignified life, a right to education, health care and social benefits — all of this, undoubtedly, at the expense of the gaining country’s taxpayer. It also addresses the right to fair treatment at work and practice of their culture and religion. Nowhere does it mention of the obligations placed on the legal citizens through the allowance of such migration.

What the article also does not address is the right of the gaining country to enforce its laws regarding illegal immigration, a term which was not used anywhere in the article. This should be particularly tantamount today, in view of the need for increased safety and security of any nation. And, contrary to the article, illegal means one who breaks the law. Being here, or in any country, in illegal status is living in disregard of the laws (like them or not), and that does make these people criminal in their status.

I believe in equality and justice. I believe in respecting the needs of fellow human beings. But, I also believe that the laws of a nation are set in place for a purpose, and that those laws need to be followed. Whether we, or they as individuals, particularly like the law is irrelevant. The fact is that the laws are in place, and disregard for those laws should bring consequences, not benefits.

I fail to see how we can teach respect for laws while, at the same time, saying that certain laws can be blatantly disrespected or disregarded. These laws are not “pick and choose.” They are there for a purpose, and have seemingly worked to a great degree for many years.

Immigration is a wonderful aspect, but it must be followed in accordance with the laws of the gaining country. It must be done properly for everyone, without exceptions being made for certain people. I believe that immigrating without following the rules is illegal, and those doing so are criminal.

Ed Kircher
Phoenix

Migrants’ aspirations

Thanks for your recently published articles on immigration: “Mexican Catholics minister to migrants on the border,” “Undocumented not same as criminals, says Vatican official,” and “Catholic leaders educate youth on immigration” (The Catholic Sun, July 19).

The Catholic Sun is demonstrating the value of telling the truth to make its readership well-informed and educated.

So often our heart sinks when we are exposed to the multiple lies and one-liners that the mass media is giving the public on this issue. Sadly, they have become opinion-driven outlets catering to a small group instead of investigating the truth on immigration.

People sometimes forget that the same hate and intolerance was directed in previous times in our nation’s history toward Catholic immigrants. Back then the hate was directed toward immigrants from Germany, Ireland and Poland, who came to this country with the same aspirations for a better life as the current immigrants do and the desire to worship within the Catholic faith.

It is sad to know that those who do not know history are repeating it.

We can trust The Catholic Sun to provide factual information and the Christian guidance of the Church on immigration.

Carmen Cornejo
Chandler

Fearing Harry Potter?

Has Christianity descended into a new Dark Age, fearing witches and books? Will Harry Potter burn in public? Will J.K. Rowling hang in effigy? If the letters on the editorial page of the most recent Catholic Sun represent the general consensus of Catholics, I fear the worst.

Like J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, the “Harry Potter” series is a delightful tale of imaginary beings who battle evil with love. Love is the magic which protects Harry from the evil of Voldemort. Although very human, Harry consistently risks his own life and well-being for the good of others. In the final book, he emerges magnificently as a Christ figure, facing what he believes to be certain death (probably excruciatingly painful as well, knowing Voldemort), because that is the only way to end Voldemort’s evil reign.

Is my suspicion correct that the writers of the letters condemning Harry Potter have not even read the books? If they have not, I hope they treat themselves to this wonderful tale of the power of love, selflessness and heroism over hatred, greed and violence.

Ruth Hoffman
Flagstaff

Supporting the other Potter

While Rebecca Bostic’s observations about the latest Harry Potter film give a thumbs-up on its “use of magic in a positive way,” I don’t understand how that balances with what we have been taught is evil.

The Harry Potter escapades are about witchcraft and the Catechism of the Catholic Church (#2117) tells us that “all practices of magic or sorcery” … “are contrary to the virtue of religion.” In my opinion, the film review presented obvious seductive arguments to numb the consciences of Catholics.

The only Potter movie I could give a thumbs up to is the one about Beatrix Potter, the author of children’s stories that don’t frighten or use magic in any way.

Mary Diane Valentine, Ph.D.
Bloomington, IL

Catholicism, Potter don’t mix

As a Catholic who tries to live faithfully by the teachings of the Church and the explicit instructions God has given us in Scripture, I am utterly confused as to how there can be any debate whatsoever about the merit, or lack thereof, of anything having to do with Harry Potter. I am, therefore, even more shocked and disappointed to read a review in our own Catholic Sun which gives any nod of approval to anything having to do with this series.

Let us be perfectly frank with one another and consider what Deuteronomy 18:10-13 tells us in no uncertain terms about God’s position on this issue: “Let no one be found among you who… practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone among you who does these things is detestable to the Lord… You must be blameless before the Lord your God.”

Some might say that simply reading a book or watching a movie is harmless entertainment and not the same as “practicing” witchcraft, but this is precisely evidence of deception by the one who seeks to lead as many souls as possible away from where God has asked us to be. Watching and reading these materials are forms of participation. If it is wrong in God’s eyes to practice witchcraft of any kind, then it is wrong for us to watch or read any work which promotes or glorifies witchcraft. Period.

Any trip to the video store or the children’s section of the local library provides a frightening look into the increasing hold which demonic materials have on our culture, from very young children to adults. The number of books and movies about ghosts, vampires, witches, demons and paranormal phenomena of all kinds is increasing at an astounding rate because so many people have been lulled into an apathetic stupor by the very forces which rejoice in our disobedience and stand to gain from the potential loss of our souls. We must not be deceived any longer. Let there be no misunderstanding. God’s instructions to us are clear. If we are to be faithful to God, we must reject anything that deviates from His clear mandates for our lives.

M. Patterson
Mesa

Fr. Larkin’s ‘journey of prayer’

Thank you for Andrew Junker’s excellent review of “Contemplative Prayer for Today: Christian Meditation” by Fr. Ernest E. Larkin, OCarm, which was published a few months after the author’s death last year (The Catholic Sun, July 19).

Junker’s selection of quotes from the book captures the essence of Fr. Larkin’s own “journey of prayer,” and his realization that this contemporary method of prayer has its roots in the prayer forms of the early mothers and fathers of the Church. The book emphasizes the need for faithfulness to prayer and the practice of “mindfulness” which leads to an awareness of the presence of God within oneself, others and all of creation.

Junker’s reading communicates Fr. Larkin’s lifelong search to find God within, striving always for that “purity of heart,” that emptiness of self which invites God’s presence. Junker has caught Fr. Larkin’s love of Carmelite theology demonstrated in the priest’s own spiritual life.

The grace of both writers is indicative of the quality of writing we have come to expect from The Catholic Sun.

M.T. Slattery
Carefree

AUGUST 2, 2007

Making sense

Thank you so much for the article by Fr. Tad Pacholczyk (Making Sense Out of Bioethics, The Catholic Sun, July 19). We need more of his simple and straightforward explanations that make sense.

Slawa Ciula
Phoenix

Fr. Tad a good start

Fr. Tad makes some very interesting points, but despite a lengthy half-page article, so much more could have been stated. Hopefully, he will be continuing and expanding his review of contraception in subsequent columns.

But if Fr. Tad doesn’t deal further with this subject that is so vital to Arizona Catholics, perhaps The Catholic Sun should solicit help in this respect from a sampling of others, including Arizona parents, teens and Church leaders. There’s so much more to learn.

Finally, Fr. Tad has provided us with his introduction to an important but complicated issue. We need follow-through. We need “the rest of the story,” as one famous news commentator was keen on saying over and over. I look forward to reading a broadened discussion of contraception in The Catholic Sun, including alternative viewpoints.

Robert Mings
Tempe

What about us?

Fr. Tad’s column disturbs me greatly — not so much in his content, but in what he left out.

Fr. Tad completely ignores one segment of our Catholic society: People like my husband and I, married for more than 44 years and past the years of procreation.

Is Fr. Tad telling me that just because we are not procreating, our intimacy is worthless? We are long past the childbearing age, having bore four children and now enjoying a heightened enjoyment of our sex life. What he forgets in his article is people like us.

Sex is a gift. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2360), we will continue to use the gift that God has given us. We are thankful to God for this wonderful gift; the gift of joy, gratitude and intimacy (CCC 2362).

Barbara Nazzal
Phoenix

Moore gets it right

Thank you to Mary Moore for an article that represents those of us in the sometimes silent minority (Wholly Family, The Catholic Sun, July 19).

I believe her statements present a true reflection of the continually eroding moral code of our society. We may not be living in a modern day replica of Sodom and Gomorrah, but it appears this is where we’re headed. This all in a country that at one time was a beacon to those who sought to live in freedom — freedom to worship God without fear, not freedom to live in defiance of Him.

No person or society can live in a continually unchecked state of moral rebellion. This makes me think: Is it just as irresponsible of me to live in silence to sin as it is of me to openly condone it?

Marco Rossi
Phoenix

Keep an eye on those books

As a mother of four kids, I love to take my children to the library. We drag in bags of books to return and then the kids run with excitement to find new literary treasures. So it was with much interest that I read Mary Moore’s column.

I am thankful that Moore was willing to be a voice in defense of the innocence of children. In a society where moral relativism is becoming the norm, it can be difficult to speak up knowing that your message may not be well-received. Thanks to her strong faith-filled voice, I am reminded that I need to work each day to protect my kids from the values of the world. It is unfortunate that this work needs to occur in the easy reader section of the public library. Mary’s column was a good reminder to me that I can’t judge a book by its cover when it makes its journey from the library to my home.

Katy Hansen
Chandler

No banning books

While I agree with Mary Moore that “Heather Has Two Mommies” is quite inappropriate for a preschooler, once the “banning of the books” begins, where does it end? Who, then, becomes the qualified person/person(s) to ban the books? There are plenty of Evangelicals who would love to have Harry Potter banned, a book that we, perhaps, see as a non-issue.

There are quite a few books that were banned in times of old due to the content or subject material and now are considered classics. Times have changed and what the older generations found shocking, our generations no longer does, our innocence has been eroded as well.

As parents, it is our job to screen the materials, not make them unavailable for all. We are responsible to teach our children the morals that we live daily. It is possible that her children will come across a “Heather,” and hopefully they will deal with “Heather” and her family with the compassion of Christ.

She might have gotten more satisfaction if she contacted the publisher directly, to register her protest or getting further information from the librarian’s supervisor or manager.

The images that Moore’s words evoke are vivid, which I enjoy. While I don’t always agree with her, I can count on her columns to make me think.

Bobbi Halverson
Phoenix

Beware witches, wizards

Why did you devote so much space to a positive review of something so un-Catholic (“Latest Harry Potter installment best yet,” The Catholic Sun, July 19)?

Although there is some question to whether Pope Benedict XVI condemned the Potter books, it is clear he supported some criticism of the Potter series by German author and sociologist Gabriele Kuby. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger said in his letter to her of March 7, 2003, “It is good, that you enlighten people about Harry Potter, because those are subtle seductions, which act unnoticed and by this deeply distort Christianity in the soul, before it can grow properly.”

Rebecca Bostic’s own words should sound an alarm to all of us: “a positive portrayal of witchcraft and wizardry,” “violent images,” “the use of magic,” and “soul possession.” I suggest she read what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says about these subjects.

Your paper is Catholic. I hope future articles will reflect stronger Catholic values.

Natalie Joels
Cornville

‘Spiritually dangerous’

I agree with comments in Rebecca Bostic’s last two paragraphs: Harry Potter literature supports a “positive portrayal of witchcraft and wizardry” and “contains violent images, frightening scenes, portrays the use of magic in a positive way.” To me that is opposed to her smiling picture and upbeat review calling this “installment the best yet.”

God warns against witchcraft, wizardry and magic. The rating box said it better: “Parents strongly cautioned.” Personally I think that the Harry Potter books are spiritually dangerous.

Joyce Larson
Phoenix

‘Harry Potter’ anti-Catholic?

Rebecca Bostic’s praise for “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” is “unquestionably disturbing” in its “positive portrayal” of yet another deceptively attractive “battle” being screened worldwide.

A discerning look at the conflict between Rowling’s “good” and evil in this film (as in previous volumes and films) reveals young aficionados receiving not “metaphorical” but distinct “messages” that test “positive” only for their moral toxicity. If the “good” pursued by Harry Potter is the defeat of his arch-enemy Voldemort, the former — supposed role-model for disciple wizards — makes fatal compromises, adopting any means necessary to achieve (albeit unsuccessfully) his end.

Potter’s “path to righteousness” leaves in its wake countless examples of deception and manipulation as he jumps back and forth over the do-not-cross line of moral absolutes, all amidst the glamorous portrayal of supernatural torture, “attempted soul possession,” killing curses, and death itself. Contrary to Church teaching, I guess the ends do justify the means if you wave your wand in the right direction, a tragedy denied by the film’s glossy finish.

Even more than the film’s Dementor-attack scenes, what remains “unquestionably disturbing” is the ease with which J.K. Rowling’s pagan universe, moral relativism and Gnostic fantasies slipped onto the stage of the Western world’s imagination and, to all appearances, stole the show.

Let us be reminded of then-Cardinal Ratzinger’s criticism of Rowling’s series, evident in his support of author Gabriele Kuby. In his letter dated March 7, 2003, he thanked Kuby for her “instructive” book, noting her identification of “subtle seductions” laid attractively before children in the Potter tales, seductions “which act unnoticed and by this, deeply distort Christianity in the soul, before it can grow properly.” For a thorough critique, I refer readers to Michael O’Brien’s powerfully informative “Harry Potter and the Paganization of Children’s Culture” (Lifesite.net).

Christina Strafaci
Chandler

JULY 19, 2007

Reflecting on ‘Sicko’

I disagree with Rebecca Bostic’s review of the movie “Sicko” (The Catholic Sun, July 5).

Health care should be a universal concern. I felt Michael Moore went after Democrats as well as Republicans. Too many politicians and their friends profit from giving favors to the insurance and pharmaceutical companies.

Maybe Bostic is too young to have had to fight with an insurance company for the best doctor for her child’s disease. Maybe she doesn’t know people without health care — older people and people with children. I do. It’s not because they declined insurance but because they can’t get insurance. Doesn’t everyone deserve health care?

A couple of years ago I needed a neurosurgeon to have a tumor removed from my spinal cord. I was fortunate to live here with one of the best centers (Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital). I was also fortunate to have health insurance.

The recovery after surgery was a long one. I’m lucky. I’m doing great. As a result of this tumor, I am on a Web site with others from all over the world with this rare condition, and it’s always an American who asks what they can do when they are without insurance. They’re in great pain with a condition that is getting worse, they’ve exhausted most of their options and want suggestions on what to do now. Something is wrong when we don’t provide care for everyone.

Catholics are supposed to support a culture of life. We are anti-abortion and anti-euthanasia. That’s good, but shouldn’t we care about all the years in between?

Claire Jackson
Glendale

Blame the insurance companies

I read Rebecca Bostic’s review of “Sicko” and, like other reviews of the movie I have read, I need to point out some misconceptions in her review. I am a health care provider working in a hospital emergency department, so this movie does affect me. I completely agree that there are problems in our health care system, but those problems lie primarily with the insurance companies, not the care providers, as implied in the review.

Bostic discusses how health care companies deny payment for services. However, it is not the health care company denying the payment, it is the insurance company. As health care providers, we provide care to the patient regardless of insurance/financial status and let the business folks hammer out those details.

She further discusses how workers in the health care field were interviewed for the movie. Again, these would be workers in the insurance companies. It is extremely important to get these designations correct, otherwise you are implying that those of us who provide patient care are in the same category as the insurance workers. We are not and do not want to be lumped together with these folks.

While “Sicko” points out many of the problems with the health insurance industry, people need to know that our health care providers, especially in the many emergency departments, are dedicated people who are always there for anyone in time of need. We do not care about people’s financial status, we care about getting them treatment and attempting to make them whole. We carry on the work of Jesus through our dedication to helping people regardless of who they may be.

The least we ask is to ensure that the distinctions between insurance companies and health care providers are understood and not misused as many of the reviews of the movie “Sicko” are doing.

Rob Gresser
Chandler

Angelica lives her faith

The article on Angelica Contreras was beautifully done (“Teenager fights Huntington’s disease with faith,” The Catholic Sun, July 5).

I have the privilege to know this young lady as she is very active in our Life Teen group at St. Jerome Parish, and she will now be a faith sharer Core member starting this month. She is a positive role model for the teens in our parish and so strong in her faith. We are truly blessed.

Julie Wollschlager
Phoenix

Enjoyable reading

Just to let you know, I really enjoyed the June 21 edition of The Catholic Sun: the bishop’s article on justice (“The virtues of justice,” page 8); Mike Phelan on Europe’s emergency (“Europe’s emergency is ours, too,” page 10); Paul Martodam’s column on the treatment of immigrants — I even clipped it for keeping (“In God we trust,” page 10); and coverage of the ordination (“Six ordained,” throughout).

I’ll soon be leaving the diocese for New Orleans to work among the Hispanic poor. I will miss The Catholic Sun and I congratulate you on an excellent paper.

Sr. Lea Couvillion
Phoenix

JULY 5, 2007

Help fight for life

Re: Your profile of pro-life attorney Nik Nikas (Your Catholic Neighbor, The Catholic Sun, June 21):

I was particularly struck by his saying that if his non-profit foundation “had one dollar from every member of the Diocese of Phoenix, we could fight the culture of death for a year. It’s frustrating to me because the time I spend fundraising could be spent in battle.”

Let’s free Nikas from fundraising. If just one out of every 10 members of our diocese could send Nikas $10 each July, that would do it:. Write to Nikas’ Bioethics Defense Fund at 6811 E. Voltaire Ave., Scottsdale, AZ 85254, and ask him how you can help.

Let’s keep working until we end legalized abortion, defeat the likes of live embryonic cloning and assisted suicide, close down the ultra-lucrative sale of aborted babies’ body parts and convert all to the culture of life.

Bob Novascone
Scottsdale

Latin never changes

A recent Reader’s Digest promotional piece said that 15 new words per month were added to our vocabulary. That equals 180 new words per year.

This is why I am so insistent that only the critical parts of the Mass should be going back to Latin. My point is this: Latin will never, ever change.

Angelo Alessi
Mesa

Mass hysteria

I must comment about a letter you published about disruptiveness at Mass (“Life happens, even during Mass,” The Catholic Sun, June 21).

Yes, babies will cry, children will wrestle and not only seniors will field cell calls, but also less-than-seniors. Women will gossip and chitchat. Men are less likely to disrupt for some reason. 

The problem with all this is that no one politely reminds these folks that we are at Mass, the most holy of holies, and that mom or dad can take a crying baby or wrestling children outside and calm them or in the latter case try to tell them a story about Baby Jesus to think about.

As for cell phone users, if they don’t know any better, they should be reminded by a vigilant usher to end the call right away. What can be that important to interrupt Mass? 

I am sad that we are not taught more from the pulpit about good manners at Mass, proper dress and adult behavior.  Mass is not a social event.  Please wait until after Mass to chitchat. Some folks want to pray.

I watched with horror a little girl of about 10 watch a tiny movie screen depicting gang violence and sex right in front of me while mom just smiled.  We have to learn to respect Mass and the folks there.

Sarah Mackenzie
Phoenix

JUNE 21, 2007

Columnist captures spirit

What a wonderful column about St. Vincent de Paul written by Chris Benguhe (“Looking for an ideal world: St. Vincent de Paul volunteers make it happen,” The Catholic Sun, June 7).

Benguhe was able to capture the essence of our organization — reaching out to those in need, offering dignity and respect as well as physical sustenance.  We rely heavily on volunteers like him to help us meet the needs in the community.

For those inspired by Benguhe’s story, I urge you to visit the main St. Vincent de Paul campus on Watkins Road or one of our five dining rooms to learn more about our work and the opportunities to serve others as a volunteer. Feel free to contact me at (602)261-6805.

Susan de Queljoe
Phoenix
de Queljoe is the director of Community Relations for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Life happens, even during Mass

My children were reprimanded rather loudly by a woman who had just prior offered “a sign of peace” to us during 9:30 a.m. Mass this past Sunday. Her obviously low tolerance level seemed more disruptive than my children were. For fear of getting swatted by a missalette (or her purse) we exited the Church in haste. So much for peace being with her!

Just a few weeks before, a sweet senior citizen sitting in the very front row received a cell phone call. Instead of exiting the church she answered her phone!  This occurred right before Communion when the church was relatively quiet, so the congregation could hear the entire phone conversation. The ushers were right up at the front pews, and one glared at this seemingly inappropriate cell phone user. But no comments were made, no missalettes thrown, and the call was completed. Communion went on without a hitch.

I’ve read it several times in The Catholic Sun that Mass is a time of worship, thanks and celebrating the Eucharist with hopes of minimal disruption. But babies cry, children wrestle, and senior citizens field cell phone calls. The Mass celebration goes on because as humans we learn to tolerate each other — most of the time. It is my hope that the “sign of peace” means much more than just a handshake with a fellow worshipper. I pray it means practicing equilateral tolerance.

Jane Frances
Phoenix

Recalling the march

Like God’s chosen people in Biblical times, we looked for signs of His mercy and we felt comfort in the clouds that covered us from the May sun. The families kept walking, full of hope, protected by the clouds above them.  Shouts of joy erupted among the crowd.  It’s raining! And we directed our faces to the gray sky to receive the miracle. God is merciful with the poor, the weak and the vilified.

We felt confident to have been guided by a Catholic priest that takes care of his congregation and the support of a Church that, like the Good Shepherd, knows His flock and the flock knows its Shepherd.

In May, thousands walked the streets of Phoenix to plead for comprehensive and humane immigration reform. Fr. Jorge Gonzales from St. Mary’s in Chandler led the crowds of faithful with a banner that said: “We are the Body of Christ”. He also united thousands present in prayer as he led the invocation at the Capitol.

Among the marchers, many carried crosses and pictures of Our Lady of Guadalupe, proof of the deep religiosity of the immigrant movement.

It was a peaceful display, modeled on the great struggles for human rights and the principles of non-violence. Most wore white shirts as a sign of peace.

Not all present were undocumented.  The movement has the support of citizens and legal residents.

The community is in deep pain for the roadblocks being built around educating our young. Even the best and brightest students in our schools are being denied the access to post secondary education in a cruel irony for a country thirsty for talent that has been built on the ingenuity and hard work of the immigrants.

The people in this movement are people of faith and hope. We feel strong with the support of people of conscience and the leadership of our pastors in the Catholic Church.

We hope on the compassion of our leaders and the general public, and we have faith in Christ.

Carmen Cornejo
Chandler

JUNE 7, 2007

The Body and Blood of Christ

I enjoyed Cindy Wooden’s article “Sacramentum Caritatis” (“Pope reflects on Eucharist, suggestions for Mass,” The Catholic Sun, April 5). Pope Benedict XVI’s apostolic exhortation is his reflection on the 2005 World Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist.

I would just like to take exception to one word in one sentence, which I’m sure was just an oversight. At first quoting the Holy Father, Wooden writes, “Celebrating the Eucharist, he said, ‘the Church is able to celebrate and adore the mystery of Christ,’ who is present in the bread and wine… .”

She completed that sentence in her own words and by saying that Christ is present “in” the bread and wine. That little word “in” makes the sacrament appear to be consubstantiation; Christ present along with the bread and wine. It would be better to take a deeper breath and say, “under the appearance of bread and wine.”

In this day when you hear many Catholics say things like “do you take the wine?” I believe this little distinction is very important. God bless Wooden and all good Catholic journalists.

Joseph Ryan
Gilbert

Reflecting on perspectives

I enjoyed reading Mary Moore’s recent column so much it brought me to tears (“The benefits of having children; God’s love multiplies exponentially,” The Catholic Sun, April 19).

As a mother of eight, I live out God’s exponential love every day. Living with a small army, our whole family has been given the added benefit of having to die to ourselves, so that others may be blessed. We have all had to learn to share.

I am so thankful to God for the grace He has given my husband and me to be open to life. I can’t imagine saying no to God if at any time He would choose to bless us with another child. What gifts and challenges would we be missing out on if we said no? If even one were missing, the world would not be the same.

Speaking of the world, I also read Chris Benguhe’s article about Al Gore’s movie, “An Inconvenient Truth” and then I rented the movie and watched it twice (“Gore vs. Smokey: Whose planet-saving message has greater impact?” The Catholic Sun, April 19).

In the movie, Gore states that “Global warming is caused by three main factors, and the number one factor is population.” One can only conclude that if population is the number one factor, there must be too many of us.

It did not take long to confirm this conclusion. I found many articles written by Gore himself, stating his support of contraception, sterilization and abortion at any stage, all in the name of “stabilizing the population.”

Al Gore is touted as a hero for the environment, but how can one be a hero if he can’t see the beauty of every God-given life? I believe Gore has good intentions, but he is flat out wrong on his solutions.

God is omnipotent. He is in control. He knows how to regulate the temperature of the Earth. He has not created too many people. Many of the people He has created have not learned to submit to their Creator. They have not learned how to share.

Anita Usher
Gilbert

Respecting the Lord’s house

I would very much like to give Fr. Thaddeus McGuire, pastor of St. Daniel Parish, a big pat on the back and thanks for being a true shepherd of Christ. In past bulletins he’s had the following printed and I would strongly recommend more parishes have this printed in their bulletins:

“At all times we ask respect and reverence shown in the church. Welcome to the house of God. As this is His house, we ask you please observe silence for the sake of those in prayer and adoration of our Lord.

“If your child(ren) should become loud, please take them to the chapel or narthex, there is no playing or running in church.

“Please turn off cell phones and pagers before you enter church. Do no make or take phone calls while in church.

“There is no food, gum or drinks allowed in church.

“Appropriate dress should be worn at all times. NO bare feet, flip-flops, halters, strapless tops, short shorts, short skirts, low cut tops, T-shirts with inappropriate logos. Thank you.”

Fr. McGuire really has it altogether when we are to have respect in the Lord’s house. Thanks, Fr. McGuire.

Sally LeRoy
Scottsdale

Voting for life

Those who follow Christ’s teachings will soon make a decision that will define the depth of their Christianity. How to vote is political for sure, but it is clearly of moral importance.

We appear on the verge of entering a new dark age, one defined by governments that tolerate killing its unborn for convenience and experimentation.

Fundamentals for an enlightened society don’t change much. Among them, respect for life, obedience to the law, the election of true leaders, and the protection and education of the children are basic.

As children of God, we recognize that how we treat the unborn is the core issue of our times, and we are soon called upon as Christian citizens to make a difference.

John Pauley
Payson

MAY 17, 2007

Immigration debate: No clear answers

Kudos to finally having an article in The Catholic Sun that supports another view of immigration, specifically targeting illegal immigration and the courageous work that the Minutemen are doing (“Road to Reform, How do Minutemen figure into immigration debate?” The Catholic Sun, May 3).

We think there are many, many Catholics, including us, who support immigration to our country. That is how our families arrived here several generations ago. And for their determination and hard work we are very grateful. Our family strives to continue this determination and hard work.

But people who choose to enter the United States illegally are breaking the law. Not to mention that by allowing this to happen, our national security is threatened each and every day.

The people who arrive in our country illegally are repeatedly quoted as saying that they “just want to work.” While this may be true, they also most likely will need health care at some point, and without health insurance this presents a dilemma. How often do the people who come here “just to work” procreate and have children who also need health care and education? The children are legal U.S. citizens, entitled to Medicaid/AHCCCS/health care and other social services as well as a complete education, so this complicates things for the person who is “just here to work.”

Morally and ethically, we struggle with immigration issues because we strongly believe in human rights and we know that with hard work people can change their lives and this is what most illegal immigrants want. But we believe that there has to be reform to bring immigrants to the United States in a legal fashion.

Robert and Kim Eacott
Gilbert

If the Minutemen are so interested in fixing the immigration problem, they should have been marching with all the people who demanded just immigration reform on May 1. The Catholic Sun’s article portrayed them as quasi-heroes who protect our borders and offer water and food to the immigrants they encounter in their manhunt.

I saw a different picture of them when I arrived to the Capitol and was greeted by one of them who made obscene hand gestures to the marchers. The other Minutemen were not any better. Their faces were twisted by hatred and they shouted at the people who attended the march. They are a group of vigilantes and they are no better than the Pharisees Jesus talked about.

The Minutemen are so worried about the legality of a human being that they forgot they should love their neighbor, including the one who lives south of the border.

Rosie Villegas-Smith
Phoenix

You mention the tragedy that 50 people crossing the border resulted in their deaths, but let’s look at the possible thousands who are dying and families who are breaking up as the result of the drugs coming into America, which is part of illegal crossings.

Thomas Passafiume
Lake Havasu

Gore’s global warning an important one

I felt I had to respond to Chris Benguhe’s column “Gore vs. Smokey: Whose planet-saving message has greater impact?” (The Catholic Sun, April 19).

It’s true that children under 6 might better understand and put into practice the message delivered by Smokey the Bear. Some feel it’s OK for these same children to believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy.

However, those of us who reached the age of reason can understand and should be frightened by Al Gore’s documentary. The facts are meant to scare and inspire us to halt the carnage we have imposed on our home, the earth. Somehow, cuddly Smokey does not have the same effect.

Save Smokey the Bear for the children.

Audrey Yzaguirre
Phoenix

I’m not sure what point Chris Benguhe was trying to make in his column. Unlike Benguhe, I was very inspired and motivated by “An Inconvenient Truth.” I have always believed that if you aren’t part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.

After the movie, I picked up a flyer in the lobby of the theater that outlined 10 simple things I can do. These ideas also ran on the screen at the end of the movie. These 10 things are