Dear Editor: In his column, Put Out Into the Deep, in the Aug. 1 issue of The Tablet, Bishop DiMarzio states, “We receive so much from the generosity of our priests, but they also need our help. It is our responsibility that they receive proper care and compassion from us for all that they have given to us.” While the need to provide proper physical care for our retired priests is unquestionable, isn’t the need to provide for their emotional and communal needs equally as important? In doing so we may actually be helping improve their physical condition.
Letters to the Editor
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Deep Convictions in History
Dear Editor: Re: George Weigel’s column, “Progressive Catholic Authoritarianism” (July 16), the “penchant for misrepresentation and calumny” is hardly new in the history of the Church. Just look at Peter and Paul, the theological disputes in the early councils, or Bernard and Abelard. That’s what happens when people believe with deep convictions. In time, they all serve the divine purpose.
Asking the ‘Jesus Questions’
Dear Editor: I have a few thoughts to share in response to Ms. Ilene Salerno’s Aug. 1 letter encouraging a greater attentiveness to Donald Trump’s message. Ms. Salerno writes: “It is so refreshing to have someone stand up and tell it like it is.”
Another Cathedralite Reports
Dear Editor: I went to Cathedral Prep in Brooklyn – Class of 1964. I moved to Albany, N.Y., in 1982 and lost track of everyone.
Great Biology Teacher at SJU
Dear Editor: Dr. Alfred V. Liberti, (1916-2014), founder, professor and chairperson of the Biology Department at St. John’s University, was an excellent teacher and administrator, as well as a warm mentor and person.
Francis, Just in Time
Dear Editor: Re: Insider’s Look at Francis’ Vision. Father Robert Lauder in The Tablet (July 18) rightly wrote that sex abuse scandals caused serious damage and demoralization. Consequently, the Church moaned in uncertainty and lack of confidence as its missionary vitality languished. The consumerist secular world seized advantage to marginalize us as we spiraled toward irrelevancy.
Planned Parenthood Exposed
Dear Editor: What Planned Parenthood has been doing for years undetected by the major media has just been exposed by a small pro-life media sting operation. More insidious is the anti-life Planned Parenthood curriculum taught to Catholic students in our public schools, a continuing violation of the separation of church and state.
Bishop Catanello’s Presence
Dear Editor: In reference to the recent listing of past auxiliary bishops (July 18), I wish to make mention of the late Bishop Ignatius Catanello’s comforting presence and spiritual enlightenment as he visited first responders at the NYC Medical Examiners Office after 9/11. He offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass under a tent, set up outside. His presence was most comforting as he reached out to comfort first responders deployed to a most challenging, but necessary assignment.
The Amazing Msgr. Feldhaus!
Dear Editor: Thank you for your extensive coverage (July 18) of the 95th birthday of Msgr. Eugene Feldhaus. I was touched by the family inviting a few of his former students to the small party. If they had ever tried inviting all of his former students, they would have had to rent the Barclay Center to hold all of those who would have come from across the country to pay tribute to this amazing and, yes, really tough college English teacher and true model priest for us all… and by the way a great handball coach who led Cathedral to a number of city championships and a pretty good tennis player as well, who put up with my dad as they tried to beat me and a fellow seminarian several times!
Leave Trump Alone!
Dear Editor: Regarding the July 18th Tablet editorial. Seriously? Donald Trump should be congratulated for making the topic of illegal immigration open for discussion. The word here that so many people choose not to recognize is “illegal.” The media and now The Tablet is making it sound as though he accused all Mexicans of being thieves and rapists. He did not. Trump was making a strong point that when the border is not secure, criminals will also be let into the country.