Is Abortion an Important Issue for Us or Not?
Dear Editor: I write this letter as someone who considers himself a practicing Catholic, but as one who is confused, and disappointed. I have seen it written that President Biden is a devout Catholic and I also read that Justice Amy Coney Barrett is a devout Catholic. Since their views on abortion and marriage are competely different, it is hard to reconcile that both are devout Catholics. (Governonr Cuomo, who is extremely pro-abortion, has stated, “I have my own Catholic views.”)
So my question is a very simple one, Can Joe Biden and ACB both be devout Catholics? Some bishops seem to lean that way, yet last year a priest refused to give Biden Communion because of his views on abortion.
Yet the question should be answered not pertaining to President Biden but to all Catholics: Is your position on abortion important or, like the Governor of New York, do you have your “own Catholic views”?
James McGovern
Bayside
Happy Passover, and Happy Easter
Dear Editor: As Jewish people and Christian people all over the world gather to celebrate their respective religious holidays of Passover and Easter, this year’s celebrations will hopefully be much happier than those of last year.
These two holidays symbolize togetherness, hope and faith. As we all gather to celebrate these holiest of holidays, let us all give thanks to God for being able to do so, and that this pandemic will soon be a very distant memory for all.
We should also give thanks for all of our front line and medical workers, as well as all of our first responders, and our military personnel both here at home and abroad for all that they have done and continue to do to keep us safe and our country safe. God bless all of them and their families!
Happy Passover, and Happy Easter to all who celebrate these holidays!
John Amato
Fresh Meadows
Help for Fellow Americans Who Are Hurting
Dear Editor: President Joe Biden has signed off on the $ 1.9 trillion stimulus bill that will help many hardworking Americans. This stimulus relief bill will help many in America to get back on their feet. This will include $1400 stimulus checks and $300 weekly jobless benefits. This will also include a child allowance up to $3,600 per year, $350 billion in state aid, $34 billion to expand Affordable Care Act subsidies and $14 billion for vaccine distribution.
Now in this pandemic where we have lost over 526,000 lives in America, the sad thing is the Republicans voted against it because they said it was too expensive. But what is the price for all my fellow Americans who are hurting?
Many are at risk of losing their homes and becoming homeless and can’t feed their family. Now how do you tell these families this bill was too expensive ? Now I am a Republican saying this. I’m 71 years old and my wife is 67 years old and can’t work anymore. Our Social Security only pays for housing and medical insurance costs. I am forced to keep working part-time just to put food on the table.
This stimulus money will help us out a lot. This stimulus bill is not a Democrat or Republican issue but a humanitarian issue. Therefore I’m for help for all my fellow Americans that are hurting.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Bellerose
Faith Cannot Be Taught — It Must Be Witnessed
Dear Editor: I could not agree more with Patrick Collins (“Every Human Being Has Innate Dignity,” Readers’ Forum, March 20) when he states that “every human being has innate worth and dignity.” But let’s look at how that truth is realized in the United States.
Let’s first look at homelessness. There is fury and outrage when there is a proposal to build a homeless shelter, halfway house, or low cost housing in a neighborhood. It seems that the truth about every human being having innate worth and dignity should provide enough warmth and sustenance to sustain a human being so he/she can have shelter and food.
Next, let’s look at guns. It is March, 2021 and there seems to be a mass shooting every week. Last week it was in Atlanta, and this week in Boulder. Many, many children have been killed by guns since the year 2000. But it seems that the innate worth and dignity of human beings is secondary to the sacrosanct and inviolability of the Second Amendment.
There are many more but let’s end with race. Do people of races other than caucasian forfeit their innate worth and dignity when they are born? The way that Asians have been treated since the 19th century and blacks since the 17th century seems to belie the truth about humanity that Mr. Collins forcefully expressed.
After years of teaching R.C.I.A I realized the faith cannot be taught. It must be witnessed in relatives, friends, neighbors, city, and nation. The same is true about realizing the truth about humanity. I very strongly suggest to pro-life advocates that if you want to really end abortions, live as if you believe that every human being has innate worth and dignity.
Stephen J. Trani
Marine Park
