Dear Editor: I would like to make some comments about Peter Farley’s letter, (Nov. 1). Mr. Farley’s remarks about “Conservatives” do not make sense to me. If you profess to being a Roman Catholic, then that is indeed what you are – not a conservative, a traditionalist, a liberal, etc.; you are a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and as such, you follow the teachings of the Church.

In both the Old and New Testaments, homosexuality is mentioned many times, and it is never sanctioned.

The chapter in the Gospel of Luke that Mr. Farley cites about Jesus welcoming and eating with sinners is a beautiful part of that Gospel.

It is also important to remember that in the Gospel of John, Chapter 8, (1-11): While Jesus was teaching, the teachers of religious law and Pharisees brought a woman they had caught in the act of adultery and told Jesus that the law of Moses says to stone her, and wanted to know what he would say. Jesus replies, “Let those who have never sinned throw the first stones!”

When the accusers heard this, they went away one by one. Jesus remained there alone with the woman and said, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” The woman had sinned, and Jesus forgave her but cautioned her not to sin again.

The Holy Spirit guides the Roman Catholic Church, and the teaching about acts of homosexuality are perfectly clear – they are not condoned by the Church. The Church’s mission is to save souls, and it does this by telling the truth which has been revealed. Truth can hurt at times, but it is still the truth.

ELIZABETH CATALANO
Astoria

Editor’s Note: It should be noted that no one at the recent Synod was advocating acceptance of homosexuality. The debate was over how the Church should deal with homosexuality on a pastoral level.