No Flyers in My Parish, Please
A parishoner left these and other Catholic Answers cards for me. I am sure that the intent is to provide brief, straightforward explanations. The use of Scripture, however, takes ideas out of context, reinterprets to fit the point, and is followed up by statements difficult if not impossible to support, like: “St. Paul also taught that the ordinary way to have sins forgiven is through confession to a priest.” I believe your cards do more to confuse than clarify.
Rev. Dave Rogerson
Aberdeen, Washington
The Decline of Biblical Studies
An amusing thought occurred to me in reference to Scott Hahn’s “The Hunt for the Fourth Cup” [September 1991], specifically, the Last Supper in context with the Passover meal (Haggadah).
There must somewhere be a theory posited by a Puritan-minded “scholar” in which, after our Lord finished his third cup of wine, “the cup of blessing,” and sang a rousing rendition of the “Great Hallel,” he would have been (the theory would go) so disoriented by the wine and the din of voices that he completely forgot about the concluding fourth cup! Thus, a tidy little analysis that disproves both Scott Hahn’s position and the possibility that wine can be edifying!
Incidentally, I just finished a three-wine-cup meal myself and am in good spirits and remain of sound mind (though this last point probably will be contested).
Joseph P. Gido
Wayne, Pennsylvania
I’m with You–Usually
Sorry to disappoint you, but I guess that I’m sort of a “cafeteria Catholic” since I don’t march in lockstep with John Paul II. I do enjoy your publications and have learned a tremendous amount from them although I agree with you only about 90% of the time. Keep up the good work–you’re doing a great job.
Carlos A. Pearson
Eugene, Oregon
Now You Tell Us
You should read the book Vietnam: Why Did We Go? (Chick Publications). [It is subtitled] The Shocking Story of the Catholic Church’s Role in Starting the Vietnam War! I will be distributing this book in mass soon! Mass means high volume! I was there, and people are going to listen! Why not get yourselves a copy and find out what your lovely people are responsible for!
Steven J. Dempsey
Fort Myers, Florida
Editor’s reply: Now we get it. In order to win Vietnam for Catholicism, the Catholic Church arranged for the assassination of President Diem–a Catholic. Those clever rascals in the Vatican!
My Rights Have Been Violated!
I am a member of an oppressed minority which has been experiencing pain for years. I have been demeaned and ridiculed, laughed at and lied about by the major media of our country. I sit around in vain waiting for the ACLU to call and offer to defend my rights. I am a Roman Catholic priest.
If you open your eyes you will see that what Arthur Schlesinger said is true, “The dominant prejudice in America today is anti-Catholicism.”
It has been a long time since movies like Going My Way or The Bells of St. Mary’s. Sure, they were fantasies, and not all priests are like Bing Crosby, but these movies were basically respectful of a faith dear to the heart of a large number of Americans. The fact is, without going through a long list of titles and examples, you have very seldom seen a faithful, stable priest or nun portrayed in the movies or on television in years.
Take the example of the latest affront to our faith, the movie titled The Pope Must Die. (Or, as it was absurdly retitled in St. Louis, The Pope Must Diet.) Erase the word “Pope” and replace it with “Blacks” or “Jews” or “Women” or “Southern Baptists.” Good people of all faiths would rise up in justifiable anger over such an outrageous and totally insensitive attack. The authors of such prejudice would never be allowed to hide behind such a thin disguise as “humor.”
I think it’s time we dropped the facade and acknowledged that there is a deep anger in this country that some have directed toward the Roman Catholic Church. Our faith is hierarchical. It does not mirror the democratic model we have chosen as our political system. We do not vote on our dogma or our morality.
For some this may cause philosophical difficulties, but more likely it is as simple as the darkness hating the light. In any case, we need to say to the many who ridicule our faith that we see beneath the thin veil of your “wit” and see nothing but prejudice and bigotry.
Others see it also. The October issue of Readers Digest condenses an article that first appeared in U.S. News and World Report. The last line reads, “Newspapers and commentators who scour language for the faintest hint of insensitivity to gays, blacks, and women have so far shown little interest in this foot-stomping bigotry toward Catholics.”
It is important that we Catholics recognize this persecution we are experiencing. Then it will only serve, as it has done throughout history, to purify and strengthen our faith. It is also important that we do not allow bigots to hide behind their “humor” or “art” or any other socially-acceptable platform for hatred.
Rev. Charles Dahlby
Edwardsville, Illinois
Jesus’ Brothers Reconsidered
I’ve recently had some discussions with an Evangelical friend regarding the “brethren of the Lord.” While mentioning most of the points brought up in your tract “Brethren of the Lord,” he seemed rather nonplussed regarding the Eastern custom of respect for older brothers [the idea that younger brothers never give older brothers advice, so Jesus’ “brothers,” if Mary’s children, could not have been younger than Jesus, since they gave him advice about how to live his life]. I guess he has some brothers himself.
If occurred to me that the incidents of Jesus’ brethren giving him advice occurred in his public ministry, before which time Joseph had passed away. Jesus was the eldest male and therefore the head of the family, not just the oldest brother (if he had any). It seems to me it would lend more force to the argument to point out that the “brethren” would not just have been showing disrespect to their eldest brother, but to the head of the family as well.
Bob Miller
Glendale, Arizona
Lefebvre: In or Out?
We enjoy your publication, especially “The Fathers Know Best” and conversion stories. We wish you would stick to defending Catholic truth and refrain from attacking others who do so, such as the late, great Archbishop [Marcel] Lefebvre, who was no more “excommunicated” nor “schismatic” than was St. Athanasius. We who assist at the Masses of his priests love the Holy Father and pray for him, but, as St. Thomas has said, “Against a fact there is no argument.”
David Melechinsky
St. Marys, Kansas
Editor’s reply: There can be no doubt Archbishop Lefebvre was in fact excommunicated–through his own act of disobedience, which was consecrating bishops without the Pope’s okay. Excommunication is the penalty prescribed by canon law. As you note, “Against a fact there is no argument,” so why are you arguing against the fact of his excommunication?