Pope Benedict XVI
Dear Editor: In your extensive coverage of Benedict XVI’s legacy, you include a list of key statements he made during his pontificate (“Memorable Quotes,” Jan. 14).
Not included in the list is a sentence from his Feb. 18, 2007 Angelus reflection: “Love of one’s enemy constitutes the nucleus of the ‘Christian revolution.’ ”
This statement is especially treasured by members of the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative, an organization founded in 2016 and supported by Pope Francis.
Edith Newman
Park Slope
Eucharist Revival Suggestions
Dear Editor: As the diocese continues its three-year Eucharist Revival, some suggestions came to mind that may help foster more people to believe in the real presence.
First, have the clergy explain the difference between transignification and transubstantiation.
Second, talk about all of the church-approved eucharist miracles, emphasizing the more recent ones.
Finally, clergy could strongly suggest that the laity be received on the tongue and or kneeling when possible.
An old church saying comes to mind — “Lex orandi, lex credendi” which is usually translated as “how one prays affects what one believes.”
Joseph J. Puntino
Flushing
A Challenge For All Sides
Dear Editor: A recent “As The Tablet Sees It” column (“March for Life Important Despite SCOTUS Ruling,” Jan. 21) comments on the inevitable availability online and in drug stores of pills for “medical abortions.”
It closes with a note that the “need to provide alternatives for women being told by their political leaders that taking a life is quite acceptable.”
The movement phrase for this need is “the consistent ethic of life,” often capsized as “from womb to tomb,” which challenges every side in the unending abortion debate.
As data shows, many women lack realistic choices. Pro-life people need to challenge pro-abortion people to embody “reproductive justice.”
James Ronald Kelly
Bay Ridge
Labels Matter
Dear Editor: While it is understandable in society that we all, as individuals and independents, want control of every decision in our lives, the term “pro-choice” is distorted in its reference. The common understanding of this term is being in support of taxpayer-funded abortion on demand.
The more accurate term should be pro-abortion. Unlike the converse term of pro-life, which is transparent in what it represents.
I wonder if more people would remain steadfast in their opposition to abortion if the more-accurately-defined label of pro-abortion were applied everywhere.
Carl Aliviado
Rockaway Park
Legalizing Human Composting
Dear Editor: Gov. Hochul recently signed a human composting bill into law that the State Assembly and Senate passed in June (“Human Composting Signed Into Law by Governor Hochul,” Jan. 14).
The New York State Catholic Conference bishops expressed their “regret” with such a law, arguing that human composting ignores the “dignity due the deceased.”
This is an affront to our Catholic faith, which for years has been the subject of ridicule by the secular press. Our belief is that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost and will rise again in the promise of the Resurrection. It can never be used or commingled with other organic matter to fertilize gardens or crops.
What would Jesus do? We believe he would speak up and defend the dignity of life from conception to death, and He would expect His followers to do the same.
Thomas and Constance Dowd
Oakland Gardens
