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Contents © 2003
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.

LETTERS
July/August 2003

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Mr. Ricardo Gomez-Roji in Letters (June, 2003) defends Juan Vargas by saying "his voting record is not truly indicative of his character as a Catholic."

Wrong, Mr. Gomez! When Juan Vargas exercises his free will to vote for abortion he clearly shows us his character. It shows contempt for the teachings of the Catholic Church and protecting innocent life. Catholics should pray for his conversion.

John Giery
La Mesa


SHOW VARGAS THE DOOR

Regarding Ricardo Gomez Roji's letter about Assemblyman Vargas: I don't believe Mr. Vargas had to make a difficult choice as an elected official.

Remember Henry VIII -- he told Thomas More he wanted a divorce, and More said, "No." I respect my king, but my god comes first.

The bishop at that time (Leo Maher) did the right thing, showing Lucy Killea the door.

Ed Maisen, Sr.
Clairemont


LIKES NEUTRALITY

Thank you for offering what appears to be a very centrist publication. I was referred to San Diego News Notes by a friend who had issues with SDNN's content. I took my time and read SDNN very carefully and was unable to find an editorial position that had any other position than neutral. It seems that the paper is open to publish all positions on a given issue and allow the reader to consider the pro and con on a given issue that challenges their faith.

This is very unusual with respect to editorial license and control or ownership of a significant publication with a target market. You have all my best and my prayers.

Peter Willis
Via e-mail


SYMPATHETIC

I read the odyssey of Rev. Paul O'Callaghan as recorded by Stan Espedal with great interest and no little sense of sadness [see "No Punches Pulled," May 2003].

No one can do more than to follow his conscience, although we have the duty to inform our understanding fully before we make a decision. Considering his training I really cannot fault him for entering the Orthodox Church, and I pray that there he will find the salvation his heart seeks; and I hope that he will continue to pray for us.

The sadness, however, stems from the fact that this man, raised as a Catholic, attending Catholic schools, (I presume) attending a Roman Catholic seminary, and ordained, displays a serious lack of instruction in the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Granted, his education spanned difficult times, but his experience and those of many others expose a very serious flaw in our catechetical establishment. He is not alone in his ignorance. As a graduate of a Catholic seminary that was very good academically, I know that there are many priests, even bishops, who do not understand their faith. While they are to be commended in carrying out their duties as best they can, yet the flaws in their understanding of the Church's teachings has led to much suffering on their part and the part of the laity. In all fairness, I must add that many of the priests trained during the past thirty years have made a real effort to fill the lacunae in their education.

Thank God for the Catechism of the Catholic Church, published in 1992. Now there is no excuse for ignorance among the teachers of the Faith. Paragraphs 1996-2000, as well as 2017-2024 clearly reiterate the perennial teaching (perhaps too simply stated) that there are two kinds of grace: (a) an actual grace that is created and (b) sanctifying grace that is the grace of salvation, which is the Holy Spirit and thus uncreated. There never has been a contradiction between the teachings of the Orthodox and the Roman Catholics in this regard.

I really do not feel that the papacy is the major obstacle for a reunion of these two witnesses. I think that Fr. O'Callaghan touches the problem when he talks about the Protestants not understanding our ecclesiology. The Catholic Church's understanding of itself is as the Mystical Body of Christ. From that concept comes the idea of organization and the papacy.

Parenthetically I would like to suggest that the Pope is infallible in matters of faith and morals, not because he says so, but because he is the visible head of the Church, which is infallible.

Father O'Callaghan is very pessimistic about the ecumenical movement; however I think he is too discouraged. After all, the Holy Spirit is the spirit of truth; thus if we all strive to follow the truth, we should find ourselves marching to the same beat eventually, please God.

Rev. Francis P. Filice
San Francisco


WHY ARE STRAIGHTS SO SCARED?

I just read your article by Allyson Smith about gay cops (are they fair?). I would have to say, yes, and for your reporter's information gay cops are as fair as anyone else in that profession or any other.

Would we say there could be a bias from straight cops who catch adults and teenagers in acts of sexual activity in cars? This nation has one of the highest teen pregnancy and absentee father statistics. I am not saying that either one is right, but how could your reporter be so oblivious to the fact that gays and lesbians are human beings and have taken an oath to protect and serve the public whether they are police officers, firefighters, paramedics, doctors, nurses, etc.

It sounds like to me that your reporter and your Catholic paper are against all of God's people that do not see life though Catholic eyes and are just trying to find an scapegoat not to allow gays and lesbians in civil service jobs. One day we all will be judged, and when you do go before your God you will be judged on how you conducted your life here on earth.

I just have one question for you and your reporter -- since no one has been able to answer my question -- why are straight people so scared of gays and lesbians? This article is coming from a paper and a group of people whose own priests molest boys, and by the way the priest that have molested these little boys are not gay or even bi, they admit to being straight.

Phil Lepen
Via email


STOP BASHING

I am responding a response to some of the letters I have read in your publication regarding homosexuality and the tainted views of gay men & women. If one looks at the history of the church one would see that cardinals are buried with their lovers in the crypts in Rome. Also the church has not nor will they continue to grow due the scandal now in the church. Homosexuals are NOT pedophiles. This is proven fact; look it up. The church has done more damage and turned more people away here in the USA due to the backwards thinking of the conservative bishops and cardinals and some lay people. Having been a former Franciscan brother I can tell horror stories about how the church treated people and turned them away when they needed assistance or were in need. Now not all the religious are bad people; there are many good ones as well. But to condemn or to judge anyone else is a greater sin than to hold out your hand in compassion and love as Christ did. Nowhere in the New Testament is homosexuality mentioned. The early church sanctioned same-sex unions for many centuries. Read your history. As Catholics we come from a church of hate and rules and fear. We are told we are going to hell for eating meat on Fridays ... hmm that changed too. Rules are rules of man. Christ never talked about the homosexual nor did He say that it was wrong or that those of the same sex could not be a family. The fear of the church not growing was the reason behind all this crazy thinking. I don't agree that anyone should be called names or have things thrown at them for any reason. But when one is plagued with shouts of "You are going to hell," "Repent or you are going to hell," "You are monsters and should be killed," I think I may toss an egg or two your way myself. Some of the greatest saints in the church were gay. Once again read your history. It is time we stop the bashing and all the hate and words that just hurt. I don't like the hetero life style, but I don't protest in front of the zoo or at the parade on the 4th of July. So why should anyone of you take your energy and put into a negative space? Go and help someone who is in need instead. Pray more, ask for your forgiveness for bashing others and not learning to accept others for who they are. I agree there are those in the gay community who may stand out more than others. But the greater majority of the community have homes, work, spend money in your stores, take care of you when you are sick, perform in your theaters, write novels, and serve in all aspects of the church and in Washington. So please stop all this nasty talk and grow up and learn to love rather than hate all the time. After all you too when you die will be asked, "How much did you love these the least of my brethren" Can you answer?? I hope so.

Rob
San Diego

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