Unfettered Letters

Communion cartoon

Lee Judge’s cartoon (5/24, Opinion) shows a priest getting ready to hand out Communion to a long line of people and saying, “Remember, Communion is only for those Catholics who agree with every position of the Church!” Then the next frame has no people receiving Communion.

What a horrible misrepresentation of the truth concerning what has happened between Archbishop Naumann and Gov. Sebelius. It is not about “every position” but about Sebelius’ support of abortion on demand for any reason.

I applaud the archbishop for calling abortion more than a personal choice but a choice that affects the life of the most innocent of humans. It is an evil that should be outlawed.

Mike Boudreaux
Excelsior Springs

Lee Judge just doesn’t get it. As an individual, I have a right to my personal beliefs and whether I subscribe to each Catholic Church position. As a governor and a Catholic, Sebelius’ personal belief in the Church’s position on abortion is no longer personal when she publicly advocates the killing of unborn babies.

The archbishop is likely to care less whether I accept the Church’s positions than whether a prominent public official publicly advocates something that is counter to their position, all while being known as a Catholic.

Tony Hawkins
Kansas City

Sebelius and Communion

Frank Kessler's "As I See It" on Bishop Naumann's public rebuke of Gov. Sebelius makes a point, but not the one he intends (5/21, Opinion, "Archbishop Naumann was properly doing his job").

What many find offensive about Naumann's behavior is his selective application of Catholic doctrine to coerce voting behavior.

Far from combating "cafeteria Catholicism," Naumann exemplifies the practice. Naumann never publicly rebukes politicians on any issue, save abortion. Name one called to task over their support of the death penalty. When has he condemned justices who condone the use of torture? Show me where he publicly castigated politicians who voted to wage pre-emptive war.

With my vote I can't stop women from having abortions (they just have unsafe, illegal ones) but I do know that if Bush were not president 4,000 Americans and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis would still be alive, and there would be 2 million fewer refugees in the world. Canon law does not give bishops the right to use sacraments as weapons to bully those who make different and, I would argue, more moral, political choices than their own.

I guess if Bishop Naumann can be a cafeteria Catholic, so can the rest of us.

Cynthia Spaeth
Kansas City

In regard to the "As I See It" written by Dick McCoy (5/15, Opinion, "Kansas archbishop's stand on abortion reaches too far"), I am amazed by the ridiculous ways in which he demonizes Archbishop Naumann and the Catholic Church.

Archbishop Naumann has no intention of telling Gov. Sebelius how she should vote. It is not within his authority to dictate politics. and he understands that. What Mr. McCoy doesn't understand it that the governor's example to the world is not Catholic. The archbishop did not tell her how to vote or what to veto. He simply said that her public actions are not Catholic and she should not receive Communion because of that, which is within his jurisdiction.

As far as Mr. McCoy's stand that babies are not the central issue in the abortion debate, I can only say I feel so bad for someone who could stand by and allow these atrocities to be committed and call them liberties. He was once a baby, and his mother obviously didn't have what he calls liberties. She gave him life so that he could be free to voice such heinous opinions.

Antoinette Jamerson
Trimble, Mo.

Archbishop’s rebuke of Sebelius

Barbara Shelly’s column titled, “Archbishop seeks improper church-state mix” (5/16, Opinion) is an example of bias interfering with logic. Obviously, Shelly holds a “pro-choice” personal conviction, and Archbishop Joseph Naumann is “pro-life” due to his Roman Catholic faith. Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is both Roman Catholic and “pro-choice,” which Naumann is simply pointing out as inconsistent. Further, he is assuming the responsibility as a church leader by pointing out the contradiction in Sebelius’ choice.

The logical fallacy in the column is that Sebelius is allowed her convictions while Naumann is not. It is not the archbishop that has created an “uncomfortable intersection,” but the governor. The church official is not mandating how Sebelius must behave as governor, rather how she should behave as a Roman Catholic. Sebelius is free to associate with organizations more consistent with her personal convictions.

Ms. Shelly’s conclusion that Sebelius’ contradictory choices are more ethical than Archbishop Naumann’s consistent convictions is evidence of bias overriding logic.

Gregg Motley
Overland Park

Kathleen Sebelius, the governor of the state of Kansas who represents our total population, has chosen to follow her conscience. According to Vatican II, she has that right within the church. Equally, as has been explained, she has that same right in legislation. What is it about following one’s conscience that the archbishop does not understand?

Archbishop Naumann, although he would like to govern the state of Kansas, does not. He is an appointed official in a church of his own expression. He reports to the Pope and not to us, the people. As a citizen of Kansas, he must abide by both federal and state laws. In Kansas, the Roman Catholic Church adds up to a very small part of our total population, and many of them clearly understand Sebelius’ position.

Naumann’s arrogant, public attempt to shame her is typical. If he is going to tell us how to vote, his tax-exempt status should be revoked.

He no doubt can try to “buy” a new governor, but I believe that the citizens of Kansas are too smart to elect a puppet.

Kay Goodnow
Lenexa

As a Catholic, Gov. Sebelius should know that reception of Communion in the state of serious sin is a sacrilege. Those who procure or promote abortion are perceived as being in conflict with Christ and his church, and therefore should not receive Communion.

Archbishop Naumann counseled her privately, but the governor chose to show her disdain of the archbishop and her disrespect of the Blessed Sacrament by receiving Communion anyway.

The governor has made her choice and taken her stand, and I pray for her. Archbishop Naumann has preformed his job admirably as teacher and shepherd of our local church. I applaud his defense of the unborn and, most important, his defense of the Sacrament which most Catholics hold very dear.

Florence Long
Shawnee

Kathleen Sebelius may have been raised as a Catholic, but she chose to be a controversial governor. By the bills she signs and the political donations that she accepts, Gov. Sebelius puts herself at the intersection where Catholic and politician are mutually exclusive.

Archbishop Naumann was right to respectfully respond to the governor publicly in order to differentiate her abortion-rights position from the sanctity-of-life position of the Catholic Church.

If Archbishop Naumann remains silent, he holds Gov. Sebelius and the rest of his flock to very different standards of conduct and morality.

Kathleen A. Sexton
Lenexa

Sebelius’ stand on abortion

Unfortunately, Dick McCoy’s defense of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ stand on abortion lacks all logic (5/15, Opinion, “As I See It: Kansas archbishop’s stand on abortion reaches too far”).

Simply put, abortion is murder. Murder is the unlawful killing of one human being by another, especially with premeditated malice. To restrict or otherwise outlaw abortion, therefore, does not run roughshod over anyone’s “founding principles of individual religious liberty.” It does, in fact, protect the rights of the unborn.

Marge Griff
Kansas City

Archbishop Naumann recently counseled Gov. Sebelius to refrain from Communion because of her support of abortion. Archbishop Naumann did not attack Gov. Sebelius. As the leader of Catholics in this diocese, he has the responsibility to guide his followers in the church’s teachings.

If one professes to be a Catholic, one must, in good conscience, follow the Church’s teachings. The Church is clear in its position on the importance of all life, including the unborn.

I am a convert to Catholicism because of its position on life and the belief in Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist — our Communion. How can Catholics not be supportive of our archbishop for lovingly counseling our governor on her church’s teachings and its members’ responsibilities?

Our religious beliefs must guide our actions, or they have no value to ourselves or others. Thankfully, our country’s founders acted on theirs.

Dave Case
Leawood

I am once again dismayed by the Catholic Church’s single-minded focus on abortion to the exclusion of myriad other life issues. While Archbishop Naumann has expressed his belief that Gov. Sebelius should not receive Communion because he perceives her position on abortion as counter to church teaching, no one in the church seems the least bit upset that Catholic Supreme Court justices recently upheld the death penalty as an acceptable form of punishment.

The Catholic Church has consistently taught that the death penalty is against the teachings of Christ, but I’ve never heard anyone suggest that Justice Scalia or Chief Justice Roberts should be denied Communion. Such selective application of doctrine undermines the credibility of the church, especially when used in an election year.

Bert S. Braud
Lenexa

While I do not agree with Gov. Sebelius’ stand on abortion, I can think of no greater impact on her life than that of Holy Communion.

Because as Catholics we believe that the host contains the actual being of Christ, I would pray that with greater reception of the Sacrament that God can work miracles in her life and bring about her conversion.

To deny Christ’s work in her life through the Sacraments seems detrimental to our goal of respecting life from conception to the grave.

Maureen Goddard
Overland Park

Sebelius and Communion

After reading the letters (5/14) concerning Archbishop Naumann’s decision to deny Communion to Gov. Sebelius, I am convinced that a crucial distinction is being overlooked.

While the Catholic Church does not endorse candidates, it certainly does advocate for the enactment of specific legislation and policy goals, particularly through the work of state Catholic conferences. It should be of no surprise to anyone that the Kansas Catholic Conference favors abortion restrictions.

The distinction to be made is that while Gov. Sebelius was not denied Communion when she merely advocated for abortion rights in general, she was denied Communion when she vetoed a bill that was an integral part of the Kansas Catholic Conference’s legislative agenda.

One does not have to agree with this agenda to understand how a church leader should feel empowered to advocate for the core positions for which his church stands.

William J. Thomas
Kansas City, Kan.

The Catholic Church has a legal and moral right to define its own theology. But to be theologically consistent, the church needs to refuse to serve Communion to all members who support choice. (Don’t hold your breath until that happens.)

Refusing to serve only opposing politicians is a political act and violates the Church’s tax-exempt status.

Dennis Maack
Overland Park

Archbishop’s rebuke of Sebelius

Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann is demanding that Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius not receive Communion (5/10, A-1, “Sebelius draws a church leader’s rebuke”). Where was the church with these demands when priests all over the country were sexually abusing children? They were enabling them to continue the abuse, and allowing them to partake in communion.

As a former Catholic I’m saddened that the church continues this kind of hypocrisy. It is this hypocrisy that drove me away from the church, but not my faith. As a woman, one can only wonder if the church would have protected the abusive priests had they been women.

Gov. Sebelius was elected to represent the people of Kansas, not the Catholic Church. I’m thankful that she can separate her faith from government. And I’m grateful that there are many faiths that value women and value the separation of church and state.

Kathy Cook
Shawnee

Archbishop Naumann is to be praised for his efforts to pastorally counsel Gov. Sebelius in regard to her unwavering support for abortion rights. He sees clearly that such actions conflict with her claimed Catholic faith.

His decision to publicly request that she abstain from Holy Communion is not a political one but a spiritual one. Gov. Sebelius is free to advocate any policy she wants as a chief executive of the Sunflower State. However, she is not also free to claim to be Catholic when such policies so pointedly contradict the fundamental teachings of Catholicism.

That some, perhaps most, bishops lack the wherewithal to act as Archbishop Naumann finally has done is no discredit to him. The inaction of other shepherds discredits them and leads others to the never-never land of faith without conviction — the same place the governor seems to reside — until now, when she is forced to choose between a timeless teaching or an expedient political path.

Michael Lehr
Holt, Mo.

As a lifelong Catholic I am sad when I see my archbishop attacking Gov. Sebelius and asking her not to take Communion until she publicly repudiates her support for pro-choice rights. I am against abortion, but I am also against the archbishop publicly attacking Catholic political leaders.

Most Catholics go to church to be close to God and not to hear a political sermon.

Dan Lykins
Topeka

Archbishop Naumann’s attack on Gov. Sebelius is scandalous. Naumann’s inability to differentiate support for safe abortions being legal, under certain conditions, from support for abortion itself is unbelievable in the context of a tradition that counted angels on the head of a pin.

Surely his political bullying disqualifies his organization from tax-exempt status.

Tom Gould
Kansas City

Pope Benedict XVI

Long-suffering Catholics have borne the multibillion dollar costs of crimes by pervert-enabling prelates like Bernard Law and Roger Mahoney. The fact that such men still sit in fat-cat positions in the church only serves to provide grist to Christian-haters like Bill Maher.

Pope Benedict is a good man with some noble aspirations for the world, but he still needs to make some tough changes in his church’s management team.

Michael T. Murphy
Prairie Village

Thank you Pope Benedict for coming to America. If I had no other reason for being a Catholic, I would be a Catholic simply because of the many, many magnificent holy priests I’ve known all my life.

Maureen Halpin
Prairie Village

Papal visit

Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States was like no other world leader or statesman who has come since John Paul II, who reminded us not to be afraid and rely less on ourselves and more on God. Benedict answered the three questions we all ask: What can we know, what should we do and what can we hope for?

The world is lost because we have tried to live for too long without God. Moral relativism and spiritual neglect have made many lose their way. Benedict said in the last few days that “the crisis of truth” is more a “crisis of faith”. Benedict is evidence of the compatibility of faith and reason. His message of hope, love and faith relates to all Christians and all who hear his voice.

Benedict brings his universal message, which has the power to turn the world from a valley of fears to a garden for God and his people. Papal visits always result in thousands of conversions and reversions. Benedict’s trip in April 2008 will be no different.

Michael Shirley
Leawood

The visit by the Pope of some victims of the sexual abuse crisis in Boston on April 17 is very big news and so welcomed. It could signal a complete change of thinking on how our church handled the sexual abuse crises in the past, and how it handles any potential crisis in the future.

I look forward to working with Bishop Finn in furthering what our Pope has established today — a change of thought process.

David Lewis Biersmith
Voice of the Faithful, Region 9 Director
Kansas City

Coverage of the Pope’s visit

The Star’s headline “Pope expresses shame over sex-abuse cases” (4/16, A-1) is reflective of the paper’s liberal trashing of God and America.

One of the pontiff’s reasons for his trip was to apologize and make clear that under him the church would eradicate this cancer inflicted by pedophile priests, while the American hierarchy, like corrupt government officials, winked and looked the other way to protect their fat-cat positions.

I had no problem with the article, which started addressing the issue in paragraph one as it should have. But the headline should have been welcoming to the Christ-like Holy Father coming to uplift American humanity, to heal wounds and to give us inspiration to be better individuals.

It’s strange when a pastor comes saying “God Bless America,” and he is trashed in headlines. But when a political candidate’s 20-year role model pastor says “God damn America” — well, get out your magnifying glass and search to read about that.

Grace Fiorella
Overland Park

Right and wrong

The Vatican recently added to its list of sins, pollution, drug abuse, genetic experimentation, and the growing disparity between the rich and poor. It apparently forgot a more heinous sin: hypocrisy!

On both sides of the political aisle, we see the hypocrisy of those lecturing us on the moral clarity and the rule of law while they pursue unethical and illegal lifestyles: Eliot Spitzer on the left and Mark Foley on the right, for example.

We see government growing and spending us into the greatest federal deficit in history, while our foreign policy has alienated most of our allies, and the entire Islamic world.

In business, arrogance, greed, and bribery bring on mortgage foreclosures and a housing construction meltdown, inflation, unemployment, the highest levels of American debt and bankruptcies, while hiring undocumented workers perpetuates an immigration crisis.

Our religious leaders preach to megachurch congregations condemning gays, lesbians and Muslims, while ignoring basic Christian principles of kindness and humility, of feeding the poor.

The November election should not be about the “right or left.” It must be about what is “right or wrong.”

Rod Yeager
Kansas City

Clergy abuse lawsuit

From the responses in the comment section on KansasCity.com to “Abuse in 1950s alleged” (3/7, Local), readers appear grossly misguided and misinformed on the facts.

Victims have had to prove little when they have had access to church records. The church has, in most cases, where not destroyed, kept meticulous files on their abusive priests.

This fact has been proven time and again by trials, grand jury investigations, revelations in mediations, and forced admissions by church authorities when caught.

Even when there isn’t an admission by the offending cleric, as is often the case, it is always amazing that the average Catholic assumes the victim is lying, not that the priest may be guilty. The church has counted on the silence of victims all these years.

Bravo to Katherine Goodnow for the courage to stand for herself and the many who have been kept silent, and bravo to The Star for printing the story. Silence is what allowed the rape of children and vulnerable adults to go unabated for so many years.

Ann Brentwood
Maryville, Tenn.

My pastor abused me 55 years ago when I was a 15-year-old. Where’s my $10 million?

Ben Nicks
Shawnee

Separate issues

In response to Dave Herdman’s letter on “Bodies Revealed” (3/6): He and many others bring up valid points about the miracle that is human creation. A Catholic like Herdman, I too feel that to understand the body is to get a glimpse of God’s loving design.

However, his argument that Catholic schools should support the exhibit lost me when he was somehow able to weave the scandals of the Catholic Church into his reasons of support for the exhibit. About God’s work apparent in the exhibit Herdman contrasts the two, “I wish I could say I saw God’s work in my church’s decisions to foist pedophiles on unsuspecting parishes…”

How this non-sequitur became intertwined, I may never know. It seems certain people, The Star included, are all too willing to remind the public of the church’s failings of the past, often using faulty logic to advance subtle to not-so-subtle reminders. Sound arguments are one thing; choosing to print, out of all your letters, one that disguises personal angst for supporting evidence, does not pass the smell test.

If this is going to be the subtle/not so subtle theme taken when the Catholic Church gets Star coverage, I’d rather not read your paper.

Matthew Nickson
Overland Park

‘Bodies Revealed’

I read the letters raving about “Bodies Revealed” and expressing “sadness” that the Catholic Church does not endorse the tasteful viewing of corpses kicking a soccer ball. These human bodies, I am confident, were not voluntarily donated by the prior occupant to be used for this purpose.

I assume all have been to movies and are aware of the magic done with plastic to simulate the human body.

To the writer (3/3 Letters) who had the thought within seconds: “Don’t pray in my school and I won’t think in your church.” I would wager more thinking has been accomplished by great minds while in church than has been accomplished in many of the public schools today.

Let’s call this what it is: a shameful way to make a buck.

Mark S. Damon
Blue Springs

‘Bodies Revealed’

Before you go to see “Bodies Revealed,” ask yourself one question. If these perfectly detailed bodies were found to be fake rather than real people, would you still go? I’m certain the attendance to view perfect plastic replicas, would only be a fraction of the number of people who will go to see “plasticized people.”

What is on display at Union Station is not science or art — it is death. We are attracted rather than repelled because its feels safe. These bodies are foreigners, and the circumstances of their lives and the tragedy of their deaths is thankfully hidden from us. It is safe to look upon death, because the bodies are not our mother, our brother or our children.

Dave Eland
Lenexa

I believe the bishops were accurate in their use of the term “human taxidermy.” Let’s say one of the “Bodies Revealed” was your mother. What if half of her was left intact and identifiable and the other half was skinned back to muscle and bone to show how her arm worked when stirring a pot or nursing a child?

I would want to tell everyone passing that she was more than that display of muscle. I would want to tell everyone about how she lived, loved and moved in the world.

The exhibit, to me, is dehumanizing and slipping towards desensitizing us in the name of science and academia. The term “real” is the draw, just as circus side shows drew people in to see the bearded lady or pygmy man. It is about exploitation.

If you feel compelled to bring your children to the exhibit in the hopes it will propel them towards a career in the healing arts, then, by all means, bring them. But with each body you pass, I hope you try to imagine how they might have lived, loved and moved in the world.

Marilyn Schaeffer
Kansas City

I find it strange that bishops of the Catholic Church would find exhibits of preserved human specimens degrading.

There is a Catholic church in Rome that has two preserved human specimens. One is encased in an altar with a glass front and is said to be of a saint whose hands and feet would bleed as if they had been pierced by nails.

In the basement you can view the bones of the Capuchin monks who have died. The bones are arranged in a decorative manner around the walls. Some are complete skeletons dressed in monks robes. I saw these myself back in 1965.

Bob Davis
Peculiar

‘Bodies Revealed’

I am saddened to see the heads of the Catholic community in Kansas City ask that field trips not be made by Catholic school children to the “Bodies Revealed” exhibit at Union Station.

I agree with those who want understanding of where the bodies came from and that the bodies were in the exhibit appropriately. It seemed to me that the exhibitor answered those questions.

I saw a similar exhibit in Houston a few years ago. It was respectful and gave all of us a glimpse of how extraordinary the machine is that we call our body. I came away from the exhibit with a stronger understanding of the science of our bodies, and a stronger faith and a real wonderment of God’s hand in our creation. As far as I am concerned, science is God’s work.

I wish I could say I saw God’s work in my church’s decisions to foist pedophiles on unsuspecting parishes and treat women as second-class citizens. I love my Catholic community but am disheartened by some of the decisions of church leaders.

Take a look at the exhibit. Take your children. God’s work is inside us and all around us.

Dave Herdman
Lenexa

‘Bodies Revealed’ exhibit

Regarding Wednesday’s article “Catholic schools warned against ‘Bodies’; Local archbishop and bishop say exhibit of preserved human specimens is degrading” (2/27, Local), here’s what arrived in my head within seconds: “Don’t pray in my school and I won’t think in your church.”

Rodney Thanksgiving
Roeland Park

I can’t say I was surprised that the Catholic diocese issued its warning to keep children away from the “Bodies Revealed” exhibit. I was surprised by the reasoning, however, which was vague and lacking in specifics.

I have seen the exhibit and I would caution parents with young children that they may find it disturbing, just as they might find a horror movie disturbing. I thoroughly enjoyed the exhibit. It certainly made one appreciate the complexity of the human body.

My question to the diocese is this: Will you issue a similar warning to kids contemplating any type of medical career? Gross anatomy will be far worse than anything they might see at Union Station.

Wendy Lund
Overland Park

Unfair to church

A Star letter writer (12/26) asserts “…the Catholic Church has a well-documented history of prejudice toward women…”

Against what other group would The Star publish such a stereotypical slur? Blacks? Gays? Jews? Muslims? No way.

But traditional-value Christians, especially Catholics, are always fair game.

Where are the “Diversity Patrol” and the P.C. Thought Police when we need them?

The writer would receive a low grade for such an unsupported generalization. And, pardon me, Star — your hypocrisy and bias is showing.

Ray S. James
Kansas City

Helped in difficult time

The Star’s extensive coverage of abuse accusations regarding two priests in the Kansas City Diocese was disheartening and old news. It brought to mind a passage from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar that I had to memorize in high school: “The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.”

It is not my place to judge the innocence or guilt of these men, but I will be forever indebted to Monsignor O’Brien for his kindness and compassion to me and my five children when my 53-year-old husband lay dying in St. Joseph’s Hospital.

It was Monsignor O’Brien who stayed with us, prayed with us and saw us through this great tragedy.

It went on for months, but he took us through every step, including removal of the life-support systems. I don’t know if I could have made it without him.

I’m sure there are hundreds of stories that could be told of this man’s goodness, and I don’t want them to be lost or forgotten.

Who among us does not have regrets regarding deeds in our past? I believe in a loving, merciful and forgiving God, and pray for healing for all involved.

Carolyn Schroer
Overland Park

The priesthood

Delores Mair’s letter (11/30) asks, “Where is it written with specificity (not gibble-gabble) that females cannot aspire to (the priesthood)?” I would direct her to Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian congregation, where he admonishes women to keep silence in the churches.

One might question this since many women in the Bible were godly advocates. Yes they were, and we would expect the same today. But notice, speaking from the pulpit is different from teaching at home in hospitals or elsewhere.

One might also ask, what is wrong with an educated woman speaking in church? What was wrong with eating an apple from a certain tree? They both require obedience, something many seem to have difficulty with.

As Christ asked (Luke 6:46): why would you call him Lord and not do the things he says?

George Cook
Liberty

The priesthood

In response to letters about female priests, Jesus chose only men to be his first priests, giving them alone the powers to “bind and loose.” Although he did give women a prominent place in his ministry, he never called any woman to the priesthood. His Apostles continued the practice of an all-male priesthood, most notably in choosing a male disciple to be Judas’ successor. Though the Greek and Roman religions of that time had women priests, the Apostles continued to ordain only men.

Second, the priesthood is Christ’s institution. Though the church has power over the administration of the sacraments, it has no power to alter their essential elements. Since the priest acts “in the person of Christ,” the priest must be a man to truly represent Christ.

Finally, the very idea of a priestly vocation is that it is a calling from God, not a task taken up on a person’s own initiative.

Ellen Brewer
Mission

It is time for women

Shannon Glasford’s analogy comparing “women’s inability to become priests” with “a man’s inability to give birth” (11/23, Letters) is so ridiculously flawed it is laughable.

A woman’s physicality, of course, has no bearing on her ability to carry out priestly duties.

And where is it written with specificity (not gibble-gabble) that females cannot aspire to this heretofore all-male organization?

I think all intelligent people would agree that it is simply unbelievable that a loving deity would impose such an unfair restriction. Methinks it is instead the old boys’ club making up its own rules.

So listen up, men. Get used to the novel idea that the girls will be joining you on the altar and, who knows, maybe in the house — the White House, that is!

Delores Mair
Kansas City

Abuse lawsuits story

Thank you for publishing “Abuse lawsuits nearer to trial; Two former priests at St. Elizabeth’s parish in KC deny accusations in pending court cases” (11/25, A-1). It was a service to the community in the protection of children from alleged sexual abuse by so-called sacred persons in sacred places.

Richard Rosenberger
Kansas City

Abuse allegations

Your Sunday edition carried as front-page news the fact that two former Catholic priests have legal issues confronting them based on plaintiffs’ recollections that are decades old (11/25, A-1, “Abuse lawsuits nearer to trial; Two former priests at St. Elizabeth’s parish in KC deny accusations in pending court cases”).

To use the front page and nearly a whole page inside the first section to further vilify two old men with unproven allegations, in the Sunday paper no less, is hardly news but sensationalism better suited a supermarket tabloid.

The detail of the allegations was unnecessary; the term “abuse” is vivid enough.

If noteworthy at all, this information should have been placed in a short story on a back page.

One can only speculate on the accuracy of plaintiffs’ memories and the motives for filing against the diocese, except for monetary gain. An 81-year-old man is hardly a sexual threat to society.

This article was not news and certainly not a front page item on a Sunday morning.

Frank Connelly
Olathe

As an active Catholic, I was drawn to Sunday’s front-page article “Abuse lawsuits nearer to trial.” Sure, all pending suits are closer to trial today than they were yesterday. Yet, despite the article’s title, the trials of those abuse cases apparently are not imminent, and the story doesn’t cover any significant new ground.

Instead, it retells salacious details of alleged events occurring as far back as the 1960s. While everyone deplores the sexual abuse of minors, whatever its context might be, one wonders why The Star, under the pretext of giving us “news,” would publish such a hit piece.

Leon Suprenant
Olathe

Doctrine cannot change

After reading John Coakley Jr.’s letter of Nov. 19 (“Change coming to church”), it has become clear to me that many people are confused concerning the Catholic Church’s stance on an all-male priesthood. Mr. Coakley is under the impression that this is something that could change one day. Such a belief is not accurate.
Expecting the Catholic Church to have women priests is like expecting an apple to become a bicycle. It’s simply not possible. Doctrines are revealed truth from God and, as such, cannot change. The way we practice our faith can and does change, but the doctrines we hold to can only be preserved. The church has no right to do otherwise.
I like to compare women’s inability to become priests with a man’s inability to give birth. In both cases, we don’t know why God does not allow the other sex to engage in each activity. All we know is that he does disallow such things.
Shannon Glasford
Liberty

Female priests

I can sympathize with the chagrin of James Stueve (11/17, Letters, “Not Catholic priests”). He feels that the newly ordained women in St. Louis are not really Catholic priests.
Catholics have been conditioned for the past 1,000 years to take for granted that only male celibates can be ordained.
That, in fact, is only a mandate of the patriarchal institution that has developed through the years. Jesus said nothing at all about the priesthood, and, in fact, included women in his ministry, as did St. Paul after him.
Much of the work of the church today is performed by women. It is just a decision of the Vatican that denies them ordination, not Scripture.
It is the same old story. If you see one gender or one race or one social class of people in a particular role long enough, it is easy to develop a belief that those people are the only ones who are called to that role.
Old perceptions die hard, and for that reason, change is often slow in coming.
Wholesome change, however, such as the ordination of women, can only help, not hurt, the institution it serves.
Janelle Lazzo
Roeland Park

Change coming to church?

This is in reference to the article "In their view, they're priests" (11/13, A-1).

I am not surprised at the reaction of Archbishop Raymond Burke. It seems to me that he would rather not have the sacraments available, considering the shortage of priests, than to have women or married priests administer them. Archbishop Burke and some of his like-minded bishops remind me of the fscribes and Pharisees who were confronted by Jesus.

I have been a Catholic for 81 years and am thankful for Pope John XXIII who tried to open the church to change - change that many in our present hierarchy are trying to avoid or reverse. As noted in this article, change will not come from the top but must come from the bottom up. I hope Archbishop Burke and his colleagues will have more to be upset about, as push from below brings the church into the 21st century.

John L. Coakley Jr.
Kansas City

Objecting pharmacists

The editorial "Out of line at the pharmacy" (11/5) warrants both a clarification and a response.

It suggests that Pope Benedict was condemning the use of emergency contraception. In fact, the pope made no mention of this, but instead explicitly referred to pharmaceuticals that effect abortion and euthanasia. Catholic hospitals will administer emergency contraceptives to victims of sexual assault, provided such contraceptives really act as contraceptives, that is, by preventing conception.

The examples of abortion and euthanasia illustrate what the editorial's reasoning ultimately demands: The implication is that any pharmacist must collaborate in the provision of any legal pharmaceuticals.

Not content with mere tolerance for immoral activities, this logic would require the active cooperation of anyone with relevant expertise.

Such an extreme demand shows no respect for the rights of conscience of pharmacists eager to help the sick but unwilling to collaborate in immoral activity, especially assaults on human life.

Rev. Charles N. Rowe
Weston, Mo.

Not Catholic priests

Instead of the headline, “In their view, they’re priests” (11/13, A-1), I think your headline should have read, “Kansas City Star attacks the Catholic religion again.”

The constant attack by this newspaper shows a continual bias against the Catholic Church.

I understand these women think that they are priests, but in fact they are not. They are not Roman Catholic priests. I don’t really know what religion they have just decided to join, but it certainly is not Catholicism.

Why should I continue my subscription to the paper if you continually attack my religion? It is our right to have a church with its own beliefs, one of which is an all-male priesthood.

The Kansas City Star should strive for unbiased reporting. Its treatment of Catholicism is sorely lacking in balance. Rarely is there a “good news” Catholic-related story on the front page.

James Stueve
Olathe

Sex abuse settlement

Upon reading “Settlement is KC’s biggest for priest sex case” (9/27, A-1), any sense of justice I felt was rendered by the diocesan settlement was quickly tempered by the outrageous statement of the diocesan lawyer, Jonathan Haden, who argued on behalf of the diocese for dismissal of the case.

The victim, all of 11 years old at the time the abuse began, stated, “the priest told (me) that the priest was next to God and everything he did was God speaking to (me).” Haden argued before the settlement that “A reasonable person would have understood at the time the events happened it was something else than being touched by God.”

So an 11-year-old boy should have known better than to be manipulated by a full grown man — a trusted authority figure — who forgives sins and has the title of “Father”?

If Mr. Haden has an 11-year-old boy (or girl) at home, I challenge him to look at his child in the face and actually believe his statement could be true.

I believe the diocese settled this case, not so healing could begin, but because they knew they would lose it.

Brian P. Heydon
Kansas City

Mother Teresa

When I read of Mother Teresa’s struggle with doubt in God and her faith, I recalled what Dale McConnell, a former pastor, said: “Faith is believing and doubting but acting on the belief.”

I believe that is what she did.

Dorothy Gregg
Kansas City

Mother Teresa book

Regarding Nicole Montgomery’s comments that “It is extremely disrespectful and insulting for the church to publish Mother Teresa’s personal letters” (8/30, Letters), she should do a little more research on why the letters were published and by whom.

First, the Catholic Church never published Mother Teresa’s letters; it was done by the Rev. Brian Kolodiejchuk, the priest who is petitioning for her sainthood and collecting the supporting materials. Does this sound like someone who has it in for her?

Second, the real reason why he has done this is because many feel her book will eventually rank with St. Augustine’s Confessions and Thomas Merton’s The Seven Storey Mountain as an autobiography of spiritual ascent. Her book may be remembered as just as important as her ministry to the poor. It would be a ministry to people who had experienced some doubt, some “silence of God,” as Pope Benedict XVI calls it, in their lives.

Do you know who that is? Everybody. Atheists, doubters, seekers, believers, everyone.

Harry McAleavy
Olathe

Mother Teresa

Publication of personal letters of Mother Teresa against her wishes will be comforting to myriads of people in similar predicaments.

This is a common human condition echoed in the statement by Jesus Christ on the cross, “Father, why hast Thou forsaken me?”

In my view, her selfless and sustained contribution in the service of the poor and the forgotten should be recognized by her elevation to sainthood. In so doing, we will celebrate the magnificence of the human spirit.

Mangesh Gaitonde
Lee’s Summit

Her faith was tested

It doesn’t surprise me one bit that Mother Teresa’s faith was tested during her long life. Every day she willingly worked with the poor, the desperate and the brokenhearted. Surrounded by such abject despair, who would not succumb to doubts now and then? Even Christ’s faith was tested during his 40 days in the desert.

What surprises — well, no, amuses — me is that the media finds Mother Teresa’s doubts so worthy of note.

Elaine Hines
Kansas City, Kan.

Mother Teresa book

It is extremely disrespectful and insulting for the church to publish Mother Teresa’s personal letters (8/26, A-4, “Mother Teresa’s faith was tested; A book of letters by the revered nun reveals that she felt abandoned by Christ”).

The article states the letters were “preserved by the Catholic Church despite her dying wish that they be destroyed.” Why are they not honoring her requests?

Let the people remember her for her warm heart and lifetime of unselfish love for the poor. Her own conflicts and questioning of her faith are between her and God, and they are really no one else’s business.

Nicole Montgomery
Blue Springs

Expected of Church

Much expected from leaders

Teresa Hamilton (8/9, Letters) doesn’t think “God really cares” regarding “evil priests” or the “wayward leadership” of the Catholic Church. Revisit Christ’s harshest words, reserved for the “wayward” religious leaders he encountered:

”Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, you frauds! It is an evil day for you. You present a holy exterior while hypocrisy and evil fill you within. Vipers’ nest! How can you escape condemnation to Gehenna?”

”I came into this world to make the sightless see and the seeing blind.” The Pharisees replied, “You aren’t calling us blind, are you?” Jesus replied, “If you were blind there would be no sin in that, ‘But we see,’ you say, and your sin remains.”

”When much has been given a man, much is required of him.”

”None who cry ‘Lord, Lord,’ enter the kingdom, but those who do the will of my Father.”

Christian James Watson
Kansas City

Catholic Church

I’m a Catholic and a proud one. My church isn’t perfect. Neither am I. I love it just the same. I go to Mass every Sunday because I love God. He’s there among us, and I need that — plain and simple. Sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees. May God bless us all.

Jim Gehlken
Kansas City

Innocent priests accused

George A. Creason’s letter (8/7, “Priest abuse issue”) is loud and clear regarding his method of justice: Ready. Fire. Aim.

According to Mr. Creason, “If the church continues to support those accused of these crimes, then church members will long for the days when only 3 percent of their priests were indicted for sexual assault.”

Mr. Creason would probably have thrown Cardinal Joseph Bernardin of Chicago in jail when he was accused by Steven Cook in 1993 of sexual abuse during the 1970s, when he was a seminarian in Cincinnati. Cook, who died of AIDS in 1995, later recanted his claim.

Mr. Creason, the Catholic Church is probably more concerned about bringing justice than you are. Throwing the faithful to the lions before a fair hearing happened about 2,000 years ago.

Gerardo Lopez
Lenexa