Dear Editor: “I pledge allegiance to the world to cherish every living thing, to care for Earth, and sea and air, with peace and freedom everywhere.” Beautiful words written by Lillian Genser, but, very hard to think that can truly ever transpire, as we witnessed the South Carolina Massacre, in a church where people came to pray, and worship, only to be tainted by a senseless act of violence.
Author: settinger
Memories of Bishop Ford
Dear Editor: Thank you for your column on Bishop Francis X. Ford, M.M., (June 6). For some reason as I read the piece I thought “not only does a tree grow in Brooklyn, but a saint, too.” I am sure that there are many, myself included, who know well who F.X. Ford was, as there […]
Impacting the World
Last week, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, released his encyclical, “Laudato Si,” which is on the care of our common world. Far from just a letter on environmental issues, the pope is addressing a larger issue: the impact that we, as human beings, have on the world. We are each called to be good stewards of the gifts which with the Lord has blessed us.
We Are One Nation
The reaction of the people of Charleston, South Carolina, to the horrendous shootings in a Bible Study class has been inspirational. There have been no riots, no demonstrations, just a call for justice and even the offer of forgiveness.
Being Conduits Of Jesus’ Love
USUALLY THE GOSPEL teaches us a spiritual message that directs us toward living for the Kingdom. Today is no exception. However, the message today, as heaven-oriented as it may be, has to be lived out in the here and now, in our neighborhoods and homes. Imitation of the example of Christ in today’s Gospel must be lived with those people we see from day to day, hour to hour. To imitate Christ in today’s Gospel means to love the people around us.
The Earthiness of Jesus In the Gospels
One of the things I love most dearly about Jesus in the Gospels is His earthiness. As Christians, we’re sometimes tempted to make this God stuff a bit fussy and pretentious. We occasionally lapse into a piety that lacks authenticity. Or we think faith is all about contrition rather than gratitude and joy.
The Great Professor Catanello
Dear Editor: I would like to express this heartfelt tribute to the late Bishop Ignatius Catanello, who was my professor in New Testament Theology during the Fall 1973 at St. John’s University. I fondly recall Father Catanello as a warm and flexible professor, whose course reflected on select New Testament chapters and verses that were […]
Pay Attention to Women
Dear Editor: On Wednesday, April 29, Pope Francis addressed the problem of “Pay Equality” for women. While I applaud the pope for speaking out on this important issue, closer to home, Francis can lend a hand to end discrimination by having an open dialogue to empower women in the Catholic Church. According to all four […]
The Right Temperature
Dear Editor: I would like to second the points made in Mr. Mayhue’s June 6 letter (Readers’ Forum, Allowing a True Debate), which discusses the strange attraction some left-leaning Catholics evince toward immoral and fascistic governance.
Threat in Albany
A threat to resurrect the elimination of the statute of limitations for church workers accused of sexual abuse is nothing more than a continuation of the dirtiest politics in Albany. Coming on the next to last day of the Assembly’s scheduled session, the proposal was nothing more than a threat of retaliation to the Church because of its firm support for the Education Tax Credit proposal that it has been backing.