Letters to the Editor

Catholic Consciousness

Dear Editor: Father Lauder made interesting comments about Sigmund Freud in his column (May 5). And this brought to mind Paul Vitz’s book, “The Christian Unconscious of Sigmund Freud.”

Psychology is not my field, but reading the book was an eye-opening experience. Freud had a Catholic nanny in his early years and the experiences of being in Catholic churches, and particularly the banks of lighted votive candles, exercised a lifelong effect on Freud.

In the book, Dr. Vitz does, as I recall, a Freudian analysis of Freud, in which he uncovers a strong attraction to Catholic faith and practice. This is a very interesting book, worth a look. According to Freud’s private correspondence, he had preference for Catholicism over the other Christian religions.

FRANK DROLLINGER

Woodhaven