2002 LETTERS
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Contents © 2002
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.

LETTERS
November 2002

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(Editor: the following was written to Rick Otis in South San Diego on September 23 in response to a September news item about Assemblywoman Christine Kehoe omitting "under God" while leading the pledge of allegiance)

This is in response to your note and the article in San Diego News Notes.

To set the record straight, I have always recited the entire Pledge of Allegiance. It is unfortunate that News Notes didn't verify this for themselves, but instead chose to believe an unreliable source. You'll be interested to know that I supported a measure in the State Assembly respectfully urging the Congress of the United States to propose a constitutional amendment for adoption by the states, authorizing the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, in its current form, in any school, public facility, or government building in the United States. It's amazing that someone would characterize my actions so far from the truth.

I appreciate your writing me,

Christine Kehoe
Speaker Pro Tempore

From Brian O'Neel, the author of the Kehoe news item:

Am in receipt of the letter Kehoe sent to Rick Otis. You may want to let Mr. Otis -- and Miss Kehoe -- know that we have her on tape leaving out the phrase "under God." Not once, but three times. It is unmistakable, especially when compared to the other Speaker pro Tem, Fred Keeley. Should you like a copy of the tape made and for my office to send it to you, I will be more than happy to do so.

Either Miss Kehoe's staff has not spoken with her about this, or she is a liar. She has even been on the Eric Hogue show (www.ktkz.com) discussing the issue, and he played the tape for her. She didn't deny it then.

To paraphrase her letter, "It's amazing that someone would so blatantly lie."


PEOPLE WILL MISUNDERSTAND YOU

Reading about the controversy surrounding your critique of Bob Baker's auto dealership advertisement in a gay newspaper and Baker's official support of a gay pride parade (News Notes letters, October 2002) I'd like to compliment you on getting the subtleties of the issue, as seen from an orthodox Christian perspective, exactly right, in my opinion.

It is not -- as your critics in fact claim -- that you are guilty of "bigotry" or failure to be "nice" because you have criticized Baker's dealership for advertising in a paper that promotes a gay lifestyle as normal and God-approved. You have not suggested that his dealership refuse to do business with people who identify themselves as gay; obviously, every one of us who goes to a dealership to buy a car is a sinner!

But you rightly point out the subtle distinction here that most people, sadly, fail to recognize -- that gay groups are justifying and promoting the sin, and encouraging others to engage in it. That is why it would be wrong to support a gay newspaper or a gay pride parade.

It's too bad that the other position -- the simplistic idea that tolerance must cross over into affirmation -- is so easy to misunderstand and thus so widely held as a viewpoint by well-intentioned citizens, including many Catholics. I thank you for your courage in sticking to the truth, even though good people will misunderstand you, again and again, on this subtle but essential point.

Linda Nicolosi
Via e-mail


YOU WILL SAY YOUR LIFE IS PERFECT

I was shocked and amazed at the response to the letter commenting on Bob Baker's ad practices.

You say that Baker "promotes the sin." That is pure poppycock! He is promoting the sale of vehicles. With the sale of those vehicles, he gives money to the Catholic Church.

To use your own reasoning, you are saying that by printing mass schedules in SD News Notes, you are promoting pedophiles. You see, you are the very reason the Church is losing ground. Jesus did not condemn anyone for their beliefs or values. He merely held ground to his very own and led by example. The Church is so busy condemning, it is overlooking what is wrong under its own roof, and it is also failing to lead.

Failing to lead means falling behind. Instead of condemning, why not ask yourself, "What would Jesus do?," and act accordingly.

My guess is that your own life will change for the positive, (although I'm sure you will write a note stating your life is perfect). When you focus on the negative, that's what you get... more negativity. When you focus on the positive, positive change happens. When an entire community focuses on change, MIRACLES HAPPEN!

I challenge you to turn you and your publication into a beacon of light, instead of a dim flashlight in the dark.

David Michael
Proud Heterosexual Catholic


WHY DIDN'T YOU SHARE MY MERCY?

How about a very simple and "childlike," not childish, response to the Bob Baker article refutes. My goodness! Do Jesus' teachings in the Bible promote "gay lifestyle"? NO. Does Jesus forgive sins against morality, such as homosexual sins, if the sinner is sincerely sorry for their sins? YES.

Can Jesus forgive sins if the sinner is not sorry for committing them? No. Does "gay lifestyle" ultimately represent the statement "I will not serve," while "homosexuality" invariably may represent the statement "Jesus, help me as I struggle to serve you"? (Refer to Catechism 2358-2359). According to Jesus' teachings, is the sexual act sacred and reserved for marriage alone between a man and a woman? Yes. (Tobias 8:4-9) Therefore to be supportive of the "gay lifestyle" which supports immoral acts is truly against the teachings of Jesus. (Gen 19:1-29, Rom 1:24-27, 1 Cor 6:10, 1 Tim 1:10) However to be supportive of the homosexual community is to teach what Jesus taught, not our own wounded and prideful viewpoints. It is not supportive to merely close our eyes and our lips to what we know in our hearts and our minds are the teachings of Christ Jesus.

Jesus may truthfully and justly admonish us someday by saying to us, "Why didn't you share my mercy with them like I shared it with you by teaching them what I taught you?." Are we truly "loving our neighbor" when we lead him or her to believe that we "love the sins" in which they are actively and willingly participating? Do we love our own sins? Or maybe their sins boost our own self-esteem by "feeding" our spiritual pride, thus creating the illusion that "at least we are better than those sinners and their sin." "Hating the sin but loving the sinner" may bring a new and scary challenge to some of us because we may have to change our own style of thinking, speaking, and our "self-righteous" loving, and, ultimately, we may actually have to get to know Jesus better right here on earth. Let all who have eyes read and all who want to know and love Jesus -- learn and love what Christ Jesus teaches us.

One last thought: Do you think Jesus would support a business that supports His merciful teachings or would He support a business that refutes his teachings?

God Bless,

Noreen Richards
Escondido


THAT PREJUDICED WATER

Regarding "Not That Nice" (September): or is that "so nice to be Catholic"?

I'm not sure if you are bored and enjoy plagiarizing someone, maybe a little more successful than yourself, or you just lack the respect that most hard-working people deserve to get. But that's probably a prerequisite for journalism, huh?

What's amusing is that you criticize this man for not being discriminatory; isn't that one of the things that's mentioned in the Bible? Having been baptized a Catholic as a child, I had no choice, but if I had, you know that I would not have agreed to let that prejudiced water touch my head.

And to think you criticize this man at a time when the Catholic organization is anything but respectable. Or is child molestation part of being a Catholic man?

I'd like to give you a chance and read the rest of your rag, but it would be undeserving. You expressed yourself enough in this one article.

To tell you who or what I am would be pointless, because you would only find fault. Your positive point of view only seems to be spoken to the mirror in your castle.

Enjoy your life criticizing the general public, just know, you'll never change a single person or their beliefs. Reading you makes me feel better about myself.

Anonymous
Via e-mail


ARE BOB BAKERS ADS FREE?

Reading the article on San Diego's favorite car salesman ("Not That Nice," September), I question its use of "charity" to describe Bob Baker's decision to advertise in magazines distributed to the homosexual community. Are the ads printed in those magazines for free? No. In fact the article mentioned that a full-color back cover ad in the Gay and Lesbian Times costs $1,168 per week.

I imagine he spends the money in the hope of making customers. It became apparent to me that Mr. Baker's decision would be an interesting topic for debate on the value of ethical standards when seen in this light. Viewed as a topic for morality, as the article appeared to do, its ability to provoke meaningful debate within the business community is eliminated.

Michael Shabatay
Kensington


DIOCESE VOTER GUIDE COMING

A very important election will take place on November 5.

With the participation of San Diego diocesan lawyers, Christian Coalition is developing a voter guide entitled Family Values Guide for Catholics of San Diego and Imperial Valley. The guide lists all the candidates. Questions and their responses are printed. Then the voter must choose the candidate whose replies relate most closely to his faith and values.

It's our responsibility to protect and live the teachings of God. Therefore it is everyone's obligation to vote, to get into office the people who will sincerely work the hardest to follow God's plan.

Proceed, get educated, pray, vote on November 5.

Betty Mettee
Cardiff


REMORSE NOT ENOUGH

Mr. R. A. Alan (Letters, October 2002) believes that bishops and cardinals who covered up sexual abuse by their priests should voluntarily do 100 hours of community service as a form of penance.

I would go further. I believe that they should be in jail, since each is clearly guilty of the offense of concealing the commission of one or more crimes. They may also be guilty of being accessories after the fact, since they helped criminals to avoid detection. In many cases they may also be guilty of being accessories before the fact, since by moving offending priests to parishes where their criminality was not known, they facilitated the commission of further offenses.

The Church will not recover from this hugely damaging scandal until all those who are tainted by it have been punished, and are seen to have been punished, for their appalling behavior. Expressions of remorse and repentance are not enough, since most people no longer believe in the sincerity of their religious leaders.

David J. Dick
San Diego


WITCHCRAFT AT SANTA CLARA

After "Catholic Colleges?" appeared in the October issue, John Bowen of Coronado sent a letter to News Notes he had mailed to Santa Clara University, along with Santa Clara's response:

September 13

Our son graduated from Santa Clara in 2000 and had a fine experience there. A number of other students from our community chose the school as a result of his attendance.

It has come to my attention via a discussion with the parents of one student presently at [Santa Clara's] international program in Florence that a historical witchcraft course is being offered there right now. I also understand that if a student wishes to fulfill one of their three religious studies requirements while in Florence, this witchcraft course is their only choice to do that.

First of all, I am stunned that such a course is offered in the first place. That it is offered by Syracuse [University] is a moot point as the kids are only there because they attend Santa Clara. Secondly, I am stunned that it is also the ONLY religious studies course being offered there.

From Santa Clara's director of their study abroad program, September 25:

Santa Clara is proud to be associated with Syracuse University, an institution with a reputation of academic excellence in the United States and overseas.

I have included a brief description of the course "A History of Witchcraft: Popular culture, Folk Magic & Religious Reform in the 14th-17th Centuries." As the title implies, this is an interdisciplinary course which draws from History, Anthropology, Religion, and Women's Studies to explore a period of European history. I have spoken informally to several students about this course and most found it historical, staid, and in any event, hardly controversial. The Chair of the Religious Studies Core Curriculum Committee at Santa Clara reviewed this course and found it suitable.


WHO-CARES ATTITUDE

(Editor: this letter was first written to the Southern Cross.)

Dear Ms. Hanson:

I read your article in the September 26 issue of the Southern Cross, entitled "Catholics are Invited to Renew efforts to Protect Human Life," and am left to wonder, what Catholics are you referring to.

The Catholic leadership in this country, and especially San Diego County has all but closed the book, on protesting against Abortion and the sanctity of life.

How do I know that?

There are more than 300,000 Catholics who attend Mass weekly in San Diego County. Would you care to guess the number that turn out, (for a once a year event) to protest against Abortion on Pro Life Sunday each October. How about a whopping 30-40.

Some showing compared to about 800 of our Protestant neighbors.

And the number of priests and bishops. None.
Deacons: None.
Eucharistic Ministers: None.
Liturgical directors and DREs: None.
Ecumenical and interreligious affairs: None
CCD Teachers: None
Social Ministry: None
Youth Ministry: None

This who-cares attitude has always been a mystery to me, but it was cleared up, when a priest of rank in San Diego told me many priests in San Diego see nothing wrong with abortion and feel no need to fight it. God forbid they should preach against it, and have folks complain to them.

As I looked at this priest in silence, he said, "That's what they talk about at retreats and conferences. Oh, I know it is a big sin, but not to them; that is why none will join you in protesting."

There is an abortion clinic in San Diego, located just 2 blocks from a Catholic Church. When I spoke to the priest, he said he did not know it existed. "How would I know about it?" Okay, Father, but, I asked, would you be willing to make an appearance maybe once per month for one hour and join us in a peaceful prayer presence. "Nope, I don't believe in that." May I ask why not. "You can ask, I prefer not to give you an answer," I told him many of the women coming for abortions are Hispanic and seeing a Roman collar often times gives them pause. No comment. End of call.

Abortion is ipso facto murder. The same can be said for the pill, since it is an abortifacient. These are not optional lifestyles, we can pick and chose as circumstances dictate, but serious sins that jeopardize a person's salvation.

Bishops and priests have a moral duty to preach this, to take a strong stand against it, to excommunicate those public officials, who call themselves Catholic, while voting in favor of abortion laws.

Pro-abort, so-called Catholic, state assemblyman Juan Vargas (D-San Diego), former seminarian, and USD law school graduate, who has a 100% favorable rating with Planned Parenthood, is one local example.

If these servants of Jesus won't act boldly in this matter, but chose instead to remain silent, like here in San Diego, then I submit Ms. Hansen, writing such articles is really a waste of your time.

John Giery


THE CANCER MUST BE BURNED OUT

The report of Alice Hayes, the machinations of Bishop Brom, the total failure to clean up seminaries and remove homosexuals, the daily revelations in the world media of homosexual scandals in the clergy, the soft attitude of the hierarchy toward the homosexual problem only lead one to conclude that at the very top, meaning the Pope and the Curia, the will to root out the problem is lax and ineffective.

Since, in Prummer's Moral Theology and in all other traditional sources from time immemorial, sodomy is one of the sins that cries to heaven for vengeance, the ban of excommunication is the only conceivable remedy, not de-frocking, not temporary removal of sacerdotal faculties, but total expulsion from the community of Christ. Once the ban of excommunication is enforced, the number of miscreants will radically diminish. The cancer must be burned out. Lacking this resolve, the Church will be gradually taken apart, and it will crumble.

Indeed the psalmist said in the 78th Psalm: "We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to those who are round about us."

Anonymous
San Diego


OPEN LETTER TO BISHOP BROM

(This letter was written before the Galindo affair made news. Yet the sordidness of that business only emphasizes the need for this open letter.)

Ten months ago I came to the conclusion that supporting false Catholicism is a sinful act. I now support only traditional Catholicism. And after witnessing last April's travesty in Rome, followed by an equally scandalous meeting in Dallas (together costing hapless Sunday almsgivers far more than they will ever get in return). I'm sorry I didn't quit Newchurch sooner.

The Rome-Dallas "air-ball" did provide one unexpected dividend. The world now knows what a sorry pack of sanctimonious hypocrites control the American hierarchy. Our Church is led by an unholy brood of jellyfish, bedecked in the raiment of prelature. How the demons of Hell must have held their sides with glee as they viewed the spectacle of pompous charlatans impersonating shepherds of Christ. High comedy indeed, but what a ghastly display for genuine Catholics. How Jesus and His Blessed Mother must have wept!

Peter Jeremiah Damian,
State College area


BEING GAY NOT BAD AT ALL

Upon reading News Notes recently, it came across as being depressive, negative, and just another underground paper, in which, hatred to others is the key for the survival of modern-day Catholicism. How about writing stories on human kindness, on volunteerism, or telling stories on how to influence Catholics to do and serve more for the betterment of their community, for their family or for their church?

For example, a recent article on homosexuals, News Notes seemed to be just another venue of hatred towards homosexuals. What is it exactly about the word that brings such disgust amongst my fellow Catholics? Is it the sex itself? Is it the curiosity of those who spew the hatred and spread the rumors about the acts of homosexuals? Is it the person, who has been taken to church since infancy and continues to attend Sunday service through adulthood, and should now be disavowed from our community? Oh, please!

Today's gay population is not the first to literally "come out of the closet;" however, they may well be the most influential, outspoken, well-educated first class "labelized" group to reach national attention to bring about political and legal protections for them and our community as a whole. I myself am not a homosexual. I am, however, a believer in the existence of God. I don't much like the "label" of homosexual, but I do indeed like the person who is gay.

Do we, as Catholics, dislike the word homosexual or dislike the person? Should we associate the word homosexual with hate? What matters to you the most? The way a gay person speaks to you in kindness and respect as a neighbor, doctor, teacher, child or friend? Or perhaps the way a stranger in the city robs you of your possessions, rapes you for sex, or kills your loved ones for revenge? In life, you must always balance the good versus the bad. In this case, being gay is not bad at all.

At the time that Jesus roamed this earth, did he encounter people who disliked what he was about? Yes! He wasn't about sex. He was, to put it simply, about the betterment of ourselves as a community in general, and to welcome the differences of all people. If you want to dislike a person, why not simply think of these devils in disguise: Jeffrey Dahmer, Timothy McVeigh, David Westerfield, Charles Manson, WTC suicide terrorists, or how about all those former catholic priests who, behind closed doors, molested our Catholic children.

Anonymous
Via e-mail

Editor: In a society where sexual relativism reigns, silence in the face of such moral evil is not a virtue.

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