2004 LETTERS
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Contents © 2004
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.

LETTERS
May 2004

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A Little Note titled "Little Vindication" in last month's issue incorrectly reported that the diocese of Orange had circulated an internal memorandum stating that Father Rod Stephens, former director of liturgy and worship for the diocese, had chosen his gay lover over his duties as a priest and should not be hired for any church renovation consultations. The memorandum was produced and circulated by a lay Catholic action group in Orange County, not the diocese.

USD KEEPS GETTING WORSE

I was so distressed to read Allyson Smith's report ("Inappropriate Questions") in the April issue about security guards being called in after she confronted a gay lecturer at the University of San Diego. Since when do the faithful have to feel afraid to ask questions of people who should never be allowed to set foot on a so-called Catholic university campus in the first place? All Catholics in the Diocese of San Diego should be fearful of what is happening at USD. I did a little checking on USD's website and found the following statement under the heading Hate Crimes, Bias Motivated Incidents and Violations of Community Standards: "The University of San Diego is an academic institution firmly rooted in the Catholic tradition of creating a community and with values that promote a welcoming and inclusionary environment, where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect....

"The University is committed not to tolerate harassment in any form by reason of the race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability or sexual orientation of any person. Violation of this policy will be dealt with by appropriate sanctions, which may include expulsion, suspension, termination or exclusion from the campus." There is nothing in Catholic tradition that welcomes open homosexuals or is inclusive of perverted sexual orientations. By proclaiming itself a Catholic university, USD is committing fraud against parents who will pay $40,540 in undergraduate tuition and fees in the 2004-05 academic year in expectation that their children will receive an authentically Catholic education. USD is also committing hate crimes against faithful Catholics who dare to stand up to its politically correct and mammon-motivated agenda.

USD just keeps getting worse, despite hiring new president Mary Lyons last year. On the outside, the school appears beautiful to the undiscerning eye, but in reality it is a whited sepulchre filled with stinking, decomposing rot. Bishop Robert Brom is a USD trustee. What is he doing to clean up this school? The answer is obvious. Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis,

Ruby Delgado,
City Heights

WON'T ATTEND USD

I would like to applaud Allyson Smith for her outstanding article "Inappropriate Questions" and for standing up for the Catholic Church. I'm 16 and was interested in studying at USD, that is until I found out how USD is in disobedience to the Church. I was shocked to find out that USD, a supposedly Catholic university allows a homosexual "Pride" group on campus when the Church clearly stands against homosexuality. What's next, a pro-choice group? I will attend another university, a university that is really Catholic and respects the teachings of the Church. I hope that other students will choose to do the same.

Anonymous

IT'S WISE TO PRAY TO MARY

Jane P. Collard said (Vain Repetition Revisited, Letters, April 2004) that God is not thanked or praised in the Hail Marys. But God the Son is praised in every Hail Mary: "Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus."

I agree that when we get to heaven we will spend our time praising God. Asking our Blessed Virgin Mary to help us reach heaven is wise. It is difficult for God to refuse his Mother. Not praying the rosary is foolish.

Joel Fago, Sedona,
Arizona

ESPEDAL NEEDS HELP

Candles; intended or not; phallic [see Roamin' Catholic, April 2004]. Flag poles; intended or not; phallic; ornamental street lights; intended or not; phallic; on and on ad infinitum. When scratching for innuendo, there is no limit; you need help, Espedal.

F.R.Sprecco,
Lakeside

FRANKLIN VS. SPRECCO, ROUND 4

Mr. Franklin; either you are "tongue-in-cheek" or you must have some poor reporters up there in Oregon. Mr.Espedal's, "fine, informative columns" are poor examples of "investigative" reporting. He sneaks in, does no research, forms an opinion and is gone. Come on, you must have dated your wife more than once before you committed. Even now there are problems twixt you and she and you are probably working through them. Ah me; and your poor rebutals carry nothing but innuendo to match your favorite writer's style.

Also, methinks we are selling many copies of this paper at no recompense to us. News Notes' main problem is it is negative. There are many great parishes and wonderful Roman Catholic priests and laity in our county, I'll stick my neck out and say the majority. Very seldom are these people featured, not because they are few but because they do not fit the style of the paper.

Your use of the papal "we" is either a misstep or you are the Oregon shill for News Notes. Which is it? Suppose we can do this the rest of the year? Should you ever come to San Diego, please give us a call, our home is open to you. Peace and may Easter Bless you and yours.

F.R. Sprecco,
Lakeside

TENUOUSLY PRO-CHOICE

I commend you on your coverage of "Dr." Scott Ricke ("From Abortion to Botox", February 2004). I grew up "pro choice" but now hang to the label tenuously with my reluctance to support it on par with my reluctance to support deadly force by police (critically and never happily). I am appalled that Ricke is still legally practicing medicine and urge you to more closely examine how/why our [state medical board] allowed him to do so. Maybe, especially if this is not an isolated occurrence, a taxpayers' suit is in order.

Robert Burns,
Ocean Beach

MULVEY'S PROUD FATHER

My name is John P. Mulvey and I am the father of the young man that was interviewed by Mr. Stanford Espedal in the article entitled "Young, Faithful, and Fighting" (January 2004). I am writing this letter in response to a letter by Mrs. Betty Otto (February 2004).

Her opening paragraph refers to my poor parenting and your irresponsible journalism as the primary reason that Ryan has formed his opinions and been given a venue to voice his concerns. First of all, I was not given the opportunity to counsel him on the content of his responses. I have a great deal of respect for both Father Jim and Father John of Saint Gregory's and do not believe that Ryan realized that his interview would render such a harsh response. They have dedicated their lives to the Church and are both very special people. Father Jim, in particular, has done a truly remarkable job in bringing the parish to its present state.

That being said, I would like to make the following comments regarding Ryan's article, as well as Mrs. Otto's response. I was born and raised on the East Coast and attended a traditional Catholic parish in New York. As Ryan mentioned in his article, my aunt was a Catholic nun for over 60 years and I spent a great deal of time at her convent assisting the sisters with a variety of projects. The memory I hold most precious is the great reverence I had for the altars in the East Coast parishes; the crosses with the Body of Christ that surrounded the perimeter of the church, the tabernacles, the candles and incense, the confessionals, and the presence of altar boys in traditional vestments. One truly felt the presence of God when at the foot of the altar.

I do not feel it is degrading to the parishioners of Saint Gregory to suggest that it might be of some value to retain some of these traditions. As an example, I require my employees to adhere to a certain dress code during official meetings. Is it unreasonable to expect parishioners who assist with the distribution of communion to not wear jeans and Hawaiian shirts when standing at the altar of the house of God?

I also realize that our present society is very conscious of being gender neutral, but what precludes the use of altar boys or girls in traditional vestments? Is this suggestion offensive to the parishioners at Saint Gregory? I might point out to Mrs. Otto that the changes brought about as a result of Vatican II were also created by men.

My guess is that many of these changes were instituted so that it would mirror our society. The sacrament of marriage is now so irrelevant that divorce is the norm as opposed to being the last alternative. The nature of the content of TV shows, movies, and mass media is a direct result of our indifference to the degradation of traditional values.

I believe you missed Ryan's point, Mrs. Otto. It is our society and not Saint Gregory that is a matter of concern to Ryan. Very immature indeed.

As for my poor parenting and the monster that I created in Ryan, let me review: Ryan is a straight-A student. He is the chairman of the Teenage Republicans club at his school. He was the assistant chaplain for his Boy Scout troop, and since the chaplain position ceased to exist he has assumed both roles. He is a leader in the high school band. He is a member of the science olympiad team. He is an avid reader and a fan of classical music. He insists on wearing collared shirts and Dockers to school even though we advise him it's okay to wear jeans. He always shows great respect for each and every adult he encounters in his life. He gives the majority of his disposable income to various Catholic charities.

Yes, Mrs. Otto, Ryan is a poor example of what a teenager should be. I truly wish he abused drugs, wore jeans below his crotch line and was an avid reader of Playboy as opposed to the Bible. I am proud of this young man, my son, and pray his courage in expressing himself strikes a chord in the hearts of many readers of this publication.

John P. Mulvey,
Scripps Ranch

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