LETTERS
2002 LETTERS
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Contents © 2002
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.
JUNE 2002 LETTERS
AMEN! Regarding Broderick Barker's Confessions [on bishops and sex scandals] (May issue) -- Amen! Throw the bums out!
Marcella Young
Chicago, Illinois
P.S. I discovered the San Diego News Notes about a couple months ago while on an Internet search for my recently deceased uncle's obituary. (I found it elsewhere, thank you.) I was really impressed with News Notes and have it book marked. You all have the most insightful movie reviews and to my mind a better criteria for judging the fitness of films in terms of moral message. I'm embarrassed to admit that I never considered what now seems like the obvious shortcomings of The Mission). I am fond of Barker's Confessions and I read with horror the saga of the irreverent renovators at Sacred Heart in Ocean Beach. (By the way, Fr. Shanley hadn't been their advisor, had he?). How come your publication is so good? How can we get something that good in Chicago?
WILL SOUTHERN CROSS PRINT LETTER?
In the fine article "Meet Your Muslim Neighbor," reference is made to the "Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development," but then it is referred to as the Holy Land Foundation. This may confuse some people re the Holy Land Foundation, which serves Christians.
It is sad the way the Church authorities are handling sex abuse issues. Especially sad is the treatment News Notes and staff are receiving. It will be interesting to see if the Southern Cross will print Jim Holman's 3-29 letter. So far I've not seen it published. So there will be extra prayers!
God bless,
Frank Grabarits, M.D.
North Park
P.S. Don't get discouraged! We need you.
CATHOLICS BEAR TRIPLE BURDEN
Rosemary Johnston and the Catholic clergy who participated in the Meet Your Muslim Neighbor program deserve a lot of respect and credit. It is unfortunate that their worthy cause was caught up in the U.S. government's vendetta against Arab people and organizations. The Holy Land Foundation, most especially, has been done a great injustice. The same applies to the uncounted thousands of Arab-Americans and others not in jail, on charges for which there is no evidence, victims of the American "war on terorism."
It is the new way of life in America, filled with lies, deceits, posturing and politics to serve the New World Order and World War III, now in the making.
The same type of hate and lies has been heaped on the Catholic Church, too. The Catholic people thus have a triple burden, the corruption and venality of our own government, the pandering of the Catholic hierarchy; and the fear of persecution by the tyrannical U.S. Cromwells who demand we burn incense to their terrorism and idols.
Patrick Flynn
Yorba Linda, CA
ONLY JESUS CHRIST IS DIVINE
Monsignor Dennis Mikulanis made the following statement to News Notes:
"As far as I'm concerned, News Notes is the publication of Satan."
In his letter to the editor in the Southern Cross, [Msgr. Mikulanis] writes, "On Friday evening, April 5, I had the nohor of being invited to Beth Israel synagogue to offer a few words at their weekly Sabbath service.
Now, there is no way that the holy Roman Catholic Church instituted by Christ and not by man would ever allow any priest to attend or speak in any synagogue that adores false gods....
Msgr. Mikulanis concludes in his letter that Jews, Christians, and Muslims must once and for all recognize the divine in each of us and treat another accordingly.
Wrong! All human beings were born with original sin, except the Blessed Virgin Mary. Only Jesus Christ is divine and is a God of truth, and in His truth He will open men's hearts. And in their hearts He will speak in words that cannot be misunderstood by men of good will. He will turn the world upside down and become the chosen model the world must copy.
Richard Boothby
Chula Vista
THESE BISHOPS BELONG IN JAIL
I just came across an old issue of your excellent and much-needed publication.
One of the articles in this particular issue dealt with so-called Catholic politicans who are pro-abortion and therefore a scandal to Catholics.
Let's face it, the U.S. Catholic bishops for the most part have failed their flocks in countless ways the last 30 years.
The sex scandals so much in the news these days are a reflection of weak, wishy-washy bishops who appear to be more interested in pleasing people rather than God. These bishops, so concerned with so-called social justice, inclusive liturgy lingo, need to be held up to accountability. How evil and un-Christian to think that homophiles who molested so many children were moved around from parish to parish, where these birds of prey could continue their evil deeds.
Bishops guilty of covering up child molestors belong in jail with the molestors.
Constantino Santos
Atascadero, CA
WE EXPECT PUBLIC STATEMENT
My mind is still reeling from your March article on the speaker at Santa Sophia: Father James Schexnayder, director of National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries [see "Wonderfully Complex," by Allyson Smith].
Thank you for quoting him extensively. That helps clear up any question of what was said.
Father Schexnayder is clearly at odds with both the letter and the spirit of Catholic teaching on human sexuality and chastity. How can the pastor of Santa Sophia in good conscience allow Father Schexnayder to address his parish, much less introduce him? How can Bishop Brom in good conscience allow Michael Ratajczak to continue as pastor? At the very least, we should expect a public statement from the diocese indicating that the views that Father Michaek Ratajczak allowed to be presented as Catholic doctrine are not those of the Diocese of San Diego.
The faithful Catholics of the diocese have a right to an explanation of how it is this has been allowed to go on. In an age of clergy sexual abuse and scandal, how can a pastor or a pastor's bishop allow such things? Are we going to hear from Bishop Brom about this?
H. Reisman
Escondido
CALL TIME WARNER
Many friends across the USA have asked me if I watch EWTN. Almost every time I receive the Time Warner bill, I phone the customer service number (858-695-3220) to request that ewtn be included in cable programming. I have done this for over five years with no change. I have filled out Time Warner requests for programming additions.
I wrote to my pastor at St. Catherine Laboure to see if other parishioners might join my effort. He very kindly answered that there did not seem to me an interest in such a movement. I believe him because I have approached local friends; they say it should be done, but I am left with the feeling that it isn't very important to them. While touring the East Coast, I noted two of my motels carried Time Warner and they had ewtn on TV. I have heard those in San Diego under Cox domination receive ewtn.
Since cable is a monopoly here, I can't see it. I look at the ewtn schedule on the back of News Notes and wonder if there is anyone else north of I-8 in Time Warner territory who would join me in requesting ewtn's inclusion.
This month I am writing to the president of Time Warner, Jeff Schwall, 8949 Ware Ct., San Diego 92121. So anyone out there who would like to join my voice here, please do so repeatedly.
Sally Kuglen
Kearny Mesa
GREEDY PARENTS
Another tragedy -- seldom mentioned -- regarding the priest pedophile scandal involves the sin of greed for money. Many parents of sexually abused children were seduced by the offer of millions of dollars to buy their silene.
If love for their children plus love for other potential victims had been greater than their greed for money -- had parents reported the crime of sexual abuse diretly to the police -- perhaps the sexual abuse by pedophile priests may not have reached such huge, tragic proportions.
Gilbert Rubio
North Park
OBSESSED WITH HOMOSEXUALITY
As a strong Catholic and a reader of your paper, I agree with much of what you say, but I am very surprised by the seeming obsession with homosexuality. Each issue there are articles about homosexual and lesbian meetings. I have an uncle who is a homosexual and I am very concerned about the homophobia of the media.
I think that you would be surprised how many people you know are homosexual and lesbians. It is vital that we provide them with dignity and respect. We can not let the bigotry that has divided and poisoned our nation continue.
I appreciate that you have the best interests of the Catholic community at heart, but this does not help bring understanding to a needlessly maligned community.
Steve Bahadur
via the Internet
Jim Holman replies: As with contraception and abortion, what's story-worthy isn't the sin, but the U.S. Church's ducking the issue.
WARNED OF MOLESTORS YEARS AGO
Editor: a copy of the following April 10 letter was sent to News Notes.
Dear Bishop Brom,
The scandals that weigh heavily on the Church could have and should have been prevented. Thirty years ago I wrote a letter to my bishop expressing a grave concern regarding the black clouds of sexual misconduct among priests that I saw gathering on the horizon. The response was discouraging. Personalities became the focus, as they often do when people choose to shoot the messenger.
Over the next 21 years I discussed my concerns with priest friends including two that were with me in the seminary in the early fifties. I learned things that increased my concerns.
Nine years ago I sent an anonymous letter, to avoid the personality problem, to all parishes and the bishop. One paragraph was as follows: "Let us pray that our priests will be our spiritual directors and not just our spiritual and social contacts. Let us pray that, if need be, our priests will be persecuted as defenders of the Faith and not prosecuted as thieves and child molestors."
Then six years ago, I wrote to you, and the answer was non-responsive. Over the years I've attended events, meetings, and classes on the Faith. A surprising number of times opinions would be expressed challenging Church teachings, and I would find myself defending those teachings as a minority of one. The attack on me was never nice, and I backed off.
Now, I read in the Southern Cross that a publisher of a certain newspaper is partly responsible for resurrecting false allegations against you. I accept as fact that the allegations are false, but I was bothered by the attack on the publisher by Cyril Jones-Kellet. I was able to get some back issues of his paper and did not get the sense that the publisher and his staff are mean-spirited and abusive. It seems to be presenting information from a point of view that represents the thinking of a significant number of Catholics. Instead of attacking the messenger, Cyril Jones-Kellet and the diocesan newspaper should accept competing ideas as healthy dialogue. If this competition had existed thirty years ago, maybe it would have saved all of us a lot of grief.
I remain Your Servant in the Lord
Randall E. Homier
El Cajon
NO NOD OF APPROVAL
I wish to thank Father Richard Perozich for his outstanding message to his parishioners at Our Lady of Sacred Heart in their March 17 parish bulletin. This message concerning the priesthood was reprinted in the May issue of News Notes for all to read. Thank you, News Notes.
How fortunate the parishioners of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart church to have as pastor of their community Fr. Perozich. Every parish should have priests who are as dedicated to their holy office.
In his article, Father makes this statement: "He [the priest] is to guide them in his conduct and with pastoral compassion pointing out sin for what it is and the way of truth, whether it be well received or not."
Here we have a priest who will not give a nod of approval in matters of sexual morality -- cohabitation, contraception, abortion, homosexuality, and other vices. These are sins; they can be forgiven but can never be justified.
These are sad days for the Church and ultimately for the world. Many weak souls will be turned away from God, His church, and the sacraments because of priests who have betrayed and disgraced the priesthood.
Barbara Rodriguez
San Diego
P.S. Fr. Perozich will celebrate his ordination to the priesthood June 26. He was ordained in 1992.