LETTERS

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Contents © 1998
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.

September 1998 LETTERS

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I have mixed feelings regarding your story on Dr. David Priver ("Have Uterine Aspirator, Will Travel," July/August 1998). On the one hand, as a lifelong supporter of pro-life causes and political candidates, I have no love for any abortionist. It is my hope and prayer that the day will come in our country when unborn babies of any gestation are not slaughtered in their mothers' wombs. However, if Dr. Priver wishes to open the debate in the abortion community about whether late-term abortions should continue to be performed -- if he in fact wishes to advocate the cessation of late-term abortions -- I'd rather support than attack him on this point. If he can help stop the killing of some of those unborn children, why shouldn't we accept his help in this area, while keeping our eyes on the goal of halting abortions altogether? When our side is trying to win enough votes in Congress to override Clinton's veto of the partial-birth abortion ban, we should never refuse the support of pro-choice

-- Anthony Finchum
Chula Vista


CALL NEWS NOTES TO REPENTANCE

Jesus tells us in Matthew 18 that when you feel that brother commits a fault, keep it between the two of you. In light of this, it is not necessary that you publish this letter if you do not wish to do so.

My brother priest, Fr. Robert White, was featured in the latest edition of News Notes section "Little Notes." A history of old news about his past failings was presented in light of his assignment replacing a popular associate pastor. The article also relates Fr. White's participation in a treatment program.

Our Catechism of the Catholic Church, under the chapter of the "Eighth Commandment," guides us Catholics to act in truth. Number 2477 instructs us, "Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury. He becomes guilty...of detraction who, without objectively valid reason, discloses another's faults and failings to persons who did not know them." Number 2479 continues, "Detraction and calumny destroy the reputation and honor of one's neighbor. Honor is the social witness given to human dignity, and everyone enjoys a natural right to the honor of his name and reputation and to respect. Thus, detraction and calumny offend against the virtues of justice and charity."

Even though News Notes is a newspaper in America with the benefit of freedom of the press, your subtitle claims that you are a CATHOLIC newspaper. We Catholics are subject to higher laws; and indeed, since we have the fullness of the truth, we will be judged more rigorously by the "Giver of the Law." The CCC instructs us in #2488, "The right to the communication of the truth is not unconditional. Everyone must conform his life to the Gospel precept of fraternal love. This requires us in concrete situations to judge whether or not it is appropriate to reveal the truth to someone who asks for it." Number 2489 continues, "Charity and respect for truth should dictate the response to every request for information or communication. The good and safety of others, respect for privacy, and the common good are sufficient reasons for being silent about what ought not be known or for making use of discreet language. The duty to avoid scandal often commands strict discretion." In #2492, we are guided, "Those in charge of communications should maintain a fair balance between the requirements of the common good and respect for individual rights. Interference by the media in the private lives of persons engaged in political or public activity is to be condemned to the extent that it infringes upon their privacy and freedom."

It is my impression that News Notes is nobly dedicated to the full teaching of the Roman Catholic Church being promoted in our diocese. In light of that, the quality of reporting and the information reported must be done in a Catholic manner: correct and full information, with discretion in publishing. It is my experience that there are failures in this area with sufficient frequency to call News Notes to repentance in order that its work be done nobly to promote Catholicism.

If my brother priest Fr. White failed as you say, and if Fr. White has undergone treatment as you say, then it is the discretion of the bishop to assign him where the bishop wishes despite the feelings of victimization or revenge by some parishioners, or the displeasure at losing a great associate pastor by others. It is detraction for his previous failings to be made public because of his cooperation. In other words, this Little Note simply should not have been published. If we Christians cannot repent, cooperate with God's grace and begin again, then it would appear that our beloved Jesus died for nothing.

On the other hand, there is much that could be reported in our diocese both good and bad in order that the good be promulgated and the bad be brought to light for correction. You might show the Catholic faithful parishes where good liturgy is celebrated, so that they can be nourished when they are frustrated in their attempts to have their pastors celebrate as the Catholic Church teaches. You might also expose any abuses that are present in our diocese where, unlike my brother Fr. White, whom you showed to be cooperative with God's grace through a treatment program, there may be clergy and religious who unrepentantly offend against chastity in word and teaching by living with another in a "committed relationship"; who preside at "unions of same-sex couples"; who preach false ideas that "gay is created by God"; that women should be ordained as priests and deacons; catechists who attend meetings of Call to Action or teach ideas contrary to the Church, particularly at the diocesan level of the basic catechist course; liturgists who elevate the committee document "Environment and Art in Catholic Worship" to the level of the eleventh commandment; women religious who claim that the hierarchical system of the church is outdated and that they no longer have to respect that. Some situations need to be exposed so that the offenders might be converted and not mislead others.

It is even more important and of greater value that you highlight the excellence in our diocese so that those who seek truth and excellence can take advantage of it: good catechesis such as the article you did on "Catholic Answers Live" (July/August) evaluating the catechetical resources available and where children can receive good catechesis in Catholic schools and religious education programs, outstanding youth ministry programs in the diocese, sources of truth, apologetics, good liturgy, good preaching, conferences with solid Catholic teachers such as our diocese's annual conference of Church ministers, our diocese's programs of Marriage and Family life, natural family planning, and programs of Courage and Encourage which teach as the Church teaches to help those with homosexual issues.

I have heard from some employees at the chancery that they are not allowed to speak with any of your staff. I, however, think that you can be an effective tool for truth, even when those in authority may not wish the truth to be published by you. To be effective requires one first to be Christian, to know what prudence means from the Catechism, to present first the positive, to present the negative without judgment, to bring failings to the attention of the person and the Church, and to report the comment or "no comment" given as a response to your inquiries so that it be established that you have brought to the person or the Church your information for them to respond.

May the Holy Spirit guide you in all you do, and may Our Lady, the Seat of Wisdom, pray for you.

-- Fr. Richard L. Perozich, Pastor
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
San Diego


DISTURBING THAT THIS WAS EVEN PRINTED

I'm responding to "Teen Angel" (July/August 1998). This woman, Cheryl Sullenger, was arrested in 1988 for conspiring to make a bomb to bomb a clinic in the College area of San Diego. She "admitted supplying pipe and gunpowder for use in making the incendiary device, which was never detonated." She was in jail for two years; her husband was in jail for 13 months.

I'm sorry that you printed this. I don't feel it should have been printed, because it makes the whole pro-life community look bad. Very few people actually bomb clinics or make the gunpowder to bomb clinics. She's one of the few. I find it rather disturbing that this was even printed.

It says she's very committed to saving unborn babies. Well, she might be, but I don't know if she's very committed to saving people after they're born, because this could have killed someone, and I don't think that's really the way to solve the abortion problem. It's fine to protest in front of a clinic, but it's going too far to bomb a clinic.

-- Name withheld


ROCK-STAR HEROES WHO SCREAM AND GYRATE AROUND LIKE THEY ARE ON DRUGS

Cheers for Brenna Sullenger for getting out and doing something for Jesus ("Teen Angel," July/August). With so many do-nothing Catholics about, we must look to the young to be active for Christ. Tragic things are happening. Peter Kreeft tells us that pre-adult suicides have increased 5000 percent since the '50s. Most adults say this is terrible, then go back to watching the boob tube and do nothing. The young in many places are suffering. They are being given everything except Jesus who is joy. They have no one to lead them in life, only rock-star heroes who scream and gyrate around like they are on drugs. We can all at least give teens prayer books. If they pray, God will help them. Many youths are desperately in need of prayer in their troubled lives.

-- Father Rawley Myers
Colorado Springs, CO


CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE

Great work on the research done in determining where Allred's abortion blood money ended! [See "Blood Money", September 1998.] These Republicans have a lot to answer for, and they do; they answer to pro-abort lobbyists. Of course, they're happy to take pro-lifers' money, too.

-- Pat Sullivan
Poway

Ed. The article was excerpted from OC Weekly, whose reporter, R. Scott Moxley, did the research.

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