Letters to the Editor

Secular influences on the Church

The Michigan deacon gave four out of six reasons directed to clergy why Catholics leave ("Continuing conversation: Why Catholics leave," March 16). The reasons Catholics leave are a complex combination of action and reaction between laity and clergy.

Consider first that priests and bishops come from the laity that influence them and society also when they are little and impressionable. Since the 1940s, laypeople have been bombarded by successive worsening forms of secular humanism.

The 1950s saw TV enter the family home, and movies in theaters also began accenting underlying immorality. In the 1960s there was an explosion of pornography and materialism due to the abundant presence of the money god. Women were encouraged to become more fulfilled by pursuing a career outside the home in the 1970s. This aided the TV baby-sitter to infuse subtle immorality into little minds that at times overpowered good parental efforts. In the 1980s the privacy of the family was invaded by the computer and its potential to bring "the world, the flesh and the devil" to immature minds. All of these things distracted and separated families from intimate prayer, active participation in the Mass and the sacraments. Tendency toward evil flourished in this fertile soil coupled with the strong, bad example of those in high places in the 1990s and 2000s. Rising divorce statistics in this period evidences the effect of secular humanism even on adults.

The Church's overcompensation of modernization and the laity's misunderstanding that religious practice is entertainment gave more reasons for the exodus.

-- Robert M. Silliman, SFOAntwerp, Ohio

We need to forgive

"But I say to you, love your enemies, and forgive those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father" (Mt 5:44).

"This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven . . . and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" (Mt 6:9-14).

"Father, forgive them, they know not what they do" (Lk 23:24).

After hearing and reading about the lawsuit settlements against dioceses and Church-related employees ("Church facing new floods of lawsuits nationwide," March 9), I think we need to take a good look at the above Scripture readings. It appears to me that the monetary settlements and prison terms are acts of revenge rather than acts of reconciliation and forgiveness. Some accusers have admitted revenge. Money and/or prison terms do not foster peace. Reconciliation and forgiveness do bring peace.

St. Paul writes in Romans 12:18-20: "If possible on your part, live at peace with all. Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'"

I do not condone the sin, but we do need to forgive and reconcile with one another.

-- Sister Marcille Liebrecht, OSFContinental, Ohio

Mass of respect

The answer Msgr. M. Francis Mannion gave concerning the Tridentine Mass is incomplete ("Tridentine, in English?" March 2).

Please explain to your readers that the Tridentine Mass is a Mass of contemplative prayer. There are certain prayers the officiating priest says in silence at the altar. Please note that the Mass facing the altar releases those from purgatory into heaven during the Mass. The priests are well-versed in Latin, and this language would be rhythmic to a person well-versed in Latin, and since some prayer is in silence it is still in reverence to God. So this could mean there is no excuse for a microphone, it isn't needed during these certain prayers.

Notice the respect for the Eucharist by the congregation at a Tridentine Mass. The laity are least likely to push abuses in the Church. Clothing is respectable; voices before and after Mass are most quiet. People pray at the pews after Mass. Heads of women are covered. No one leaves the Mass until it is ended. As Judas left the Last Supper, those who leave early are in error. For those of us who want a Catholic Church with fewer abuses, the Tridentine Mass and old traditions are our answers. Since priests who celebrate the Tridentine Mass have the ultimate respect for the Eucharist, for Jesus himself, I doubt if the bishops should have a problem with them forming abuses in the future, as Msgr. Mannion stated in his column. Priests who celebrate the Tridentine Mass know the Mass is serious -- a day to celebrate and honor God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, in unity with the angels and saints and the congregations around the world.

-- Betty F. Wells, Topeka, Kan.

Cover it up

I have subscribed to your newspaper for several years now and have generally enjoyed the paper as a rule. Many of the columnists have been the reason I kept subscribing, but I also like your current event coverage.

I am writing because, though I like your publication as a whole, I really have trouble with your front-page photos. In particular, the one with the devil and the March 16 issue with pregnant belly "in your face." What are you all thinking over there? With all due respect, these kinds of covers are quite unattractive. If I would see this on a newsstand, I would not pick it up to read it because of these distracting photos.

I have often wondered why the covers, in general, do not reflect the professionalism that the articles inside provide. In my humble opinion, the newspaper would be better off with a simple front page of print rather than the kinds of pictures you now select for the cover.

-- Toni Scrimenti, Erie, Pa.

Not so loving

President Andrew Jackson may be best known as a soldier, but he had a soft spot for children ("Andrew Jackson renounced Satan," March 9). Except of course, for the Cherokee Indian children who died on The Trail of Tears.

-- Francis Maskevich, Fall Creek, Wis.