2003 LETTERS
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Contents © 2003
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.

LETTERS
April 2003

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While I generally enjoyed the piece on Immaculate Conception in Old Town I was dismayed with the deteriorating comments made regarding the eucharistic minister [see Roamin' Catholic, March 2003]. Referring to her as a multi-purpose server was fine, but stylistically referring to her as "Blue Jeans" only served to reduce her to her fashion blunders. As a Catholic, I'm inclined to accept what various parishes do with their buildings. I take the good with the tasteless. I certainly miss some of the prettier, older decorations in the churches, but I'm there for Mass, not to visit a museum. It is the celebration of the Eucharist which is important. When I bring myself in a spiritual openness to the liturgy, I derive the benefits of having participated. Having said that, I'm also aware of certain impediments to worship as they arise. Msgr. Shipley has a few problems of his own. The songs at that Mass drag occasionally. Other than that, the sermons are topical, and the mentioned multi-tasker speaks clearly.

As for your Roamin' Catholic articles, this was the first one, so my advice is to weigh the necessity of bashing ministers. Leave the snide comments for the truly deserving, malicious detriments in our midst.

Thank you.

Ken Williams
Holy Family Parish


KEEP YOUR TRAP SHUT

I would like a little equal time. To: Stanford Espedal. I am the person you've derided as "blue jeans" at the 5:15 mass at Immaculate Conception Church [see Roamin' Catholic, March 2003]. I have been assisting at this mass for almost 30 years. If you had had the personal guts to come up to me after Mass and ask my name, I would have been more than happy to inform you.

I do not appreciate being referred to as a "lectoress." Nor do I appreciate the implication of your remarks that my services were in any way demeaning to the Mass. Because you seem to think it is "your business" to comment on how people are attired, it might do you well to remember that the apostles were not exactly kitted out in white tie and tails at the Last Supper. If you want to kit me out in an alb, I will be more than happy to take a donation, as in the last several years I have come close to losing my house to foreclosure due to bad economic downturns. I have almost lost count as to how many times this has happened. I do not have "extras" for fancy clothes, and in the last several years it was not unusual for me to have to juggle buying toilet paper with light bulbs and food much less keeping the sheriff literally from my door. (Once I came within two weeks of losing everything I owned.) If not for the more than kind help of friends and family I could have very well lost all that I owned.

It's SOOOO easy for you to criticize when you can't even be bothered to go and ask someone's name. As it happens it will be a while before I have extras for other clothes. Sorry, paying the mortgage is now a priority. If you don't like my blue or black jeans, either buy me an alb, or keep your trap shut.

Were you there helping to train the altar servers these last 30 years at that parish? NO. I was.

Were you there watching that people actually CONSUMED the host as they received Communion as I have been? NO. There have been occasions where I have had to chase after people who thought they would be able to waltz away without consuming the host. Doesn't happen often, thank God, but I have never shirked my duty in that respect.

Were you there week in and week out early to set up everything required for the Mass? NO. I was. Were you there for all these years as I waited to make sure the church was locked up properly and the priest seen safely to the car? NO. I was. Were you there to follow Msgr. Shipley's car to a home-less shelter on the countless occasions where he drove a person needing assistance to a shelter? I did this because I was concerned for his personal safety. I was there. YOU weren't.

I have ALWAYS bowed my head or genuflected as I passed the blessed sacrament which is something I consider to be showing respect.

I can not tell you how many times I have personally had to publicly defend the faith when it was derided in the workplace or other public forums, but I will gladly stack up my devotion to the Church and its sacraments against ANYONE'S record, including yours.

Next time you come to our parish, mind your own business, or at least have the guts to report accurately. As it happens I do NOT carry the gospel book in procession. People like to come to our Mass because we are traditional in outlook. As far as my own orthodoxy goes, I am as Catholic as the pope.

Msgr. Moloney, Msgr. Prendergast (for whom I assisted at Mass in college virtually every day for two years straight when I was in college), and Msgr. Shipley can more than vouch for me.

I should not have to justify my service to the church to some hit-and-run jerk, but I think I deserve equal time.

Karen A.T. Horn
Lector/Eucharistic Minister, and sometimes Server, 5:15 Sunday Mass
Immaculate Conception Church


IN DEFENSE OF FATHER MIKE

I have read several articles regarding Fr. Michael Ratajczak and, having known him for many years, would like you to consider my letter in defense of his actions [see Little Notes, March 2003]. Our family has known Fr. Mike for many years. I personally pray for him daily as I do all priests from my own parish. Father Mike has always stood up against any type of injustice. His association with NACDLGM is to be commended. If you view this association's website you will notice that they clearly state in their Mission section that "We urge those in ministry to: reflect on Sacred Scripture, reflect on Church teaching and pastoral practice" and as Catechism of the Catholic Church #2358 teaches regarding Homosexuals "(homosexuals) must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided." The CCC#2358 also states that "(Homosexuals)... are called to fulfill God's will in their lives..." What better way than to have a priest's guidance. I am thankful that there is such an organization whose guidance is in conjunction with the Church's teachings and Sacred Scripture. Our priests, being on the "front-lines" of our spiritual warfare, need our prayer and support more than ever. Thank you for allowing me to respond. God bless you.

In love of Jesus,

Sandra Maola
Via email


NO GAY AGENDA AT ASCENSION

Re: your article on clergy reassignments (Feb., 2003). What on earth was your point, except to smear the reputation of a good priest and his former parish? This unfortunate article will undoubtedly cause Father McColl some undeserved difficulties in getting established in a new parish. You have much ignored the fact that Fr. McColl spent nearly four years at Ascension parish after leaving St. Didacus. If you had bothered to query a few parishioners at Ascension, you would have learned that we never, not ever, observed or were made aware of any pro-homosexual agenda. A pastor is called to shepherd ALL of his flock, to reach out to ALL who seek the Lord, regardless of race, color, or sexual orientation. Having a homosexual orientation is not a sin. It is a sin to unjustly malign or defame good people.

Please use News Notes to bring us current and pertinent information. Dredging up six-year-old dirt is neither newsworthy nor decent. I have to add that I have few acquaintances that continue to read News Notes, mostly because of your unkind and judgmental presentation of information.

Patricia Berkebile
An active member at Ascension Parish


IF USD WERE TRULY CATHOLIC...

I was appalled to find out that USD, a Catholic university, held Coming Out Awareness Week in order to celebrate Gay and Lesbian History month [see Little Notes, February 2003]. I was also surprised on how ignorant Melissa Espinal, James Dale, and audience members were. Homosexuality is a disorder and is immoral. James Dale believes that homosexuality is "not" immoral, which is not the case. Any church that accepts the homosexual lifestyle can only do so by ignoring the biblical scriptures that condemn that lifestyle, and the Bible clearly DOES condemn homosexuality. Anyone who says homosexual behavior is "normal" or cannot be changed is either ignorant or a liar. After all, one of the teachings of the Catholic Church is that homosexuality must be overcome through prayer and self-control. During a past Gay Pride Parade, Pope John Paul II said, "Homosexual acts are against the laws of nature." I shall pray that homosexuals such as James Dale will be able to understand the truth. Thousands of homosexuals have converted to heterosexuality and a better life thanks to the healing power of God and such amazing organizations like Focus on the Family, Exodus International, NARTH, and many more. Also, I believe that USD should not allow all of this immorality to take place on their campus. Instead, they should have programs in assisting those homosexuals who understand he truth so that they can change. If USD were truly a Catholic university, they would do what I have recommended. Otherwise, they are breaking the law of God.

Blessings,

AJ Hernandez
San Diego


RIGHTS OF THE MAN IN THE TUTU

The letter-writer [R.D. Bryan, February issue] challenges the fact that most men who molest boys are homosexual, critiques my reasoning because I didn't offer the evidence for this, then goes on to claim (without substantiation) that all men who molest girls are heterosexual. Further, the writer does not critique Mr. Palmer for making the claim without citing evidence, that most "people" who molest children are "not homosexual."

Most persons who rob banks are bank robbers. I didn't say "all," because it could be argued that a particular instance occurred wherein one of the participants had been along to report on the activities or had been forced into it (à la Patty Hearst). Likewise, as men are more sexually opportunistic, situations occur in which a heterosexual male cannot access his preferred type (as in prison). The same thing can be said about homosexual males; they may prefer boys, but may take a girl if the opportunity avails itself. It may also be the case, as in gathering AIDS statistics, that some homosexual males are (understandably) reluctant to state the facts honestly as to how they came to be infected, that some girls are molested by men who would rather engage in sex with boys but can't bring themselves to do so.

Homosexuality is established by either identification or behavior. Apparently in most cases, it begins with identification. Each child looks at his adult mentors and decides (at some level of consciousness) that one or the other is the more attractive. This isn't a question of physical attractiveness but rather lifestyle. It's very telling that homosexual males have an inordinate percentage of distant fathers or non-present fathers. The mother's role is then imitated by those children, and if you want to, you can make the link between non-present fathers and boys who end up in jail, where women are not accessible and homosexual sex is notorious. In other words, the desire for male bonding may be so extreme (even if unrecognized) that people are willing to go to prison where the decision to engage in homosexual sex is not theirs.

And, bisexuality is certainly not the absence of homosexual inclination.

Regarding "male teachers, male counselors," and "male doctors who try to help girls without a chaperone" (whatever that means), I haven't called for an end to those, but reasonable people may prefer not to have their daughters in such situations, whether or not some observer finds this to be "laughable."

In my letter, I did not condemn any groups, but again, reasonable people may prefer not to have their children (of either sex) exposed to men who lie with men, an abomination. (Substantiation? Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13, Douay-Rheims). Reasonable people may also not want their children, or perhaps themselves, forced into association with people who are public about their private behavior, homosexual or not. Some people also don't find wisdom in embracing persons whose actions they find sinful. Will those who preach "Tolerance!" condemn them? Of course they will.

Isn't it odd that a man prancing down the road in a tutu will shriek that no one has the right to judge him on what he does in his bedroom? Maybe it's what he's doing in our face, that we don't care for (nor have to sign off on), whether he likes it or not, and regardless of whatever evil "laws" he can brainwash or bully lawmakers into passing.

"Indiscriminate" is a word we don't hear much any more, and it's because thinking like that expressed in this writer's response has become endemic in the West.

Jeff Foxmore
La Jolla

PS: How come the writer offers no criticism of Mr. Palmer and his group for not permitting men to mentor girls, or women to mentor boys? Sexism lives, doesn't it? Maybe it ain't such a horrible thing after all.


FALSE PRIESTS, FALSE BISHOPS

Your story about the diocese of San Diego's refusal to acknowledge that a homosexual cannot possibly be ordained as a priest indicates that this diocese is in rebellion against both the divine positive law and the natural law. This being the case, there is no obligation upon communicants to support this diocese in any way.

Sodomy is one of the four sins that cries out to Heaven for vengeance, and despite the media's depiction of homosexuals as delightful people, we know that they are far from harmless, are often violent, filthy, degraded, and monstrous, as when they desecrated the host in St. Patrick's cathedral some years ago and when they surrounded a church in San Francisco and almost destroyed it. The San Francisco police looked on in an impotent manner.

Your report on Father McColl was more proof that we can no longer tolerate the degraded nature of this diocese and this bishop who obviously is part of a cover-up, as is the case in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and especially its metropolitan, Cardinal Mahony.

Nobody is being fooled. The laity have a sacred duty to challenge ordinaries who fail in their duties to shepherd the flock. If is requires withdrawal of financial support; this is perfectly consistent with the mandates of the faith.

The other scandalous situation in the University of San Diego must be addressed by the ordinary even if he is not directly in a position of authority over this university. The bishop is the moral arbiter of the diocese and must speak out to condemn this disordered situation because Catholic parents have entrusted their children to this university for the very reason that it is sworn to uphold the moral law and the commands of God.

The time has come for all laity to serve notice on this bishop and upon the Roman Curia that they are not subservient to false shepherds and degenerates posing as priests. The abominable situation where overt sodomites and other sexual degenerates hear confessions and administer the sacraments as they openly parade their allegiances to homosexuality must end at once. No person is bound by obedience to these false shepherds even if these false priests and false bishops claim that their sacramental anointing entitles them to authority despite their lack of virtue and integrity.

We are well aware of the Donatist heresy where it was claimed that only the pure can validly administer the sacraments. St. Augustine rejected this idea. However, the Church today is infiltrated by minions of Satan and has succumbed to negligence, corruption, homosexuality, lies, and hypocrisy. Not since the time of the Renaissance has corruption been greater, and we must begin a new reformation greater than that of Trent, and even more pervasive. Remove the Judases now or you perish.

Anonymous


YOUR DIATRIBE

To Robert Kumpel: You and your people are disgusting! Even calling yourself a "Catholic Newspaper" is false and presumptuous! Look up the meaning of "catholic" some day, and you might learn that it indicates more openness and broadmindedness that you will ever understand!

Your piece on the St. Vincent's church renovation [see "St. Vincent's Is Next", March, 2003] is so full of misinformation and shows complete lack of understanding of liturgical documents of the Church. You sometimes seem to suggest that progressive Catholics are "cafeteria Catholics." They don't come any more "cafeteria" than you ... you pick and choose what you want the Church or its documents to be. Try reading and understanding the liturgical documents of the Church some time. You might get a real education.

Your posing as a journalist and writing unobjectively, as you do, is so offensive to me! I was trained in journalism (and in your cynicism you will probably say that that is my problem!). Your choice of words in the item ... "liturgical destruction" .. "cloaked in fundraising" ... "trendy baptismal pool (it's font, by the way) ... moving the tabernacle "making it invisible to all except those who 'venture' into the chapel" ... all are inflammatory and indicate a lack of understanding of liturgy, the Eucharist, or the Church! Your diatribe hardly merits being called "reporting."

I would correct and refute you on any number of points even only liturgically, to say nothing of your lack of understanding of the Church as a community or the Eucharist related to that, but I realize I would be talking to myself because you don't want to move from your narrow-minded distorted, pious positions!

And to insinuate that there is something wrong at the heart of the liturgical consultant that St. Vincent's is using simply because he might be gay is further indication of your biased, warped, and judgemental attitude that pervades your "paper."

I have no connection to St. Vincent's parish or to any of its priests or staff, by the way. Don't even go to church there.

I don't subscribe to your piece of tripe nor would I bother to read it except to see what kind of hate or venom you are spewing forth each issue and to see if there are ways I might combat it!

Of course I will not sign my name because of the McCarthy kind of tactics you would probably used in "exposing" me -- just like you sneak into various parish churches only to critique or criticize their liturgical space or homilies given or whatever!

I only pray for your enlightenment and elimination of your pathetic piece of circulation!

Disgusted


HOP OFF CIRCUMCISION BANDWAGON

I find it necessary to address the "pro-life Roman Catholic" who came out in condemnation of circumcision, calling it a violation of moral law as is abortion see "Letters", February 2003]. I find it quite a stretch. Abortion takes innocent lives. Is she taking issue with the Bible also? In the second chapter of Luke we read: "and after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised his name was called Jesus, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb." (Luke 2:21) The church has long celebrated the feast of the circumcision.

I think Patrina Fadel should hop off this bandwagon and remain exclusively on the abortion issue to regain credence. How about Catholics practicing birth control as can be estimated by so few children they have?

L.C. Lloyd
Largo, Florida


HER BROTHER'S PAINFUL EXPERIENCE

Though I didn't read the February letter from Ms. Petrina Fadel on the human rights issue of circumcision, I did read Trisha Anderson's March letter.

She said it's a "barbaric ... procedure ... no medical reason for it ... common fallacies regarding its benefits ... done only for profit."

I don't know where these ladies get their information, but it's incorrect.

My father wouldn't permit my little brother to be circumcised. Then, in first grade, my brother developed a painful infection under the foreskin. My mother had to roll back this skin daily, cleansing, medicating the area until it healed.

The doctor said the reason for circumcision was to remove this foreskin to prevent just such a painful procedure. The best time to do this is in early infancy.

There's no listing in the index of the Catechism of the Catholic Church that I could find on this subject, although Ms. Anderson indicated there was.

It does say, on page 133, #527, that Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day after His birth

Doris Lane
Campo


QUESTION FROM COLORADO

I enjoy reading your publication and believe you are there for the good of the Church.

I do have one question. It was good to read that Father Holtey has good speakers, but how is it a woman was allowed to speak at Mass? Perhaps she spoke at the end or after Mass -- which, according to our bishop (Chaput), would be allowed. However, if she spoke at the time of the homily, that is contrary to Church law (as Bishop Chaput has made known) and can never be permitted, no matter how good the topic. Only bishops, priests, and deacons are permitted to give homilies.

B.J. Rutherford
Fort Collins, Colorado

Editor: The deliverance of homilies by laymen during a Mass violates the Vatican's Instruction on Certain Questions Regarding the Collaboration of the Non-Ordained Faithful in the Sacred Ministry of Priest (1997): "The homily, therefore, during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, must be reserved to the sacred minister -- priest or deacon -- to the exclusion of the non-ordained faithful."

On November 14, 2001, the Latin Church members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved complementary legislation for Canon 766 of the Code of Canon Law: "Preaching by the lay faithful may not take place within the Celebration of the Eucharist at the moment reserved for the homily." This action received the Vatican's formal approval on November 27, 2001 and took effect in all the dioceses of the Latin Church in the U.S. on January 15, 2002.


WILL USD GO THE WAY OF HOLY CROSS?

Recently I read in the local paper that USD officials were concerned about alleged "homophobia" at USD and that they intended to "educate" students to eradicate it. Some type of dorm monitor (informant?) will be named to monitor hate crimes. One wonders if USD officials will educate their students that homosexuality is a disorder, according to Catholic teachings. It lies at the heart of the recent Church abuse scandal involving priests, bishops, and laity. Over 80 percent of the victims are victims of homosexual pederasts and pedophiles. The position on homosexuality by nominally Catholic colleges and universities is problematical. Recently, I viewed a page depicting homosexual transvestites in drag. Was this one of many perverted webpages? No, it was the website of Jesuit College of Holy Cross in Worchester Massachusetts (holycross.edu, click on site list and ALLIES, history). The group is called ALLIES. Incredibly, the Jesuits stand behind this group, which professes to adhere to Jesuit ideals, according to the web page. ALLIES has a Holy Cross school address and phone number. Is this in USD's future? PRIDE at USD regularly promotes the homosexual agenda of admission to Boy Scouts and homosexual unions. The diocese seminary is collocated at USD. Does the USD policy imbue the seminary and priestly formation in the diocese? Also, Alice Hayes, the president of USD, was appointed to the national sex abuse committee. Will this constitute a conflict of interest? Construction of a new Catholic college in Florida has also been announced. Already, liberals are wringing their hands that this new Ave Maria College will not allow homosexuals to organize. Are they worried that Ave Maria will represent true Catholic teachings? Or are they simply yearning for more transvestites in drag and more homosexual politics? By now Catholics should realize that by trying to bring Catholicism to homosexuals they are really bringing homosexuality and its politics to the Catholic Church, often with catastrophic results.

Ralph Ballmer
Escondido

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