Another Russian Attack on Ukrainian Children
Dear Editor: Another massive attack on Kyiv. This time, apart from various residential buildings, the children’s hospital was the most affected. Children from all over Ukraine are treated in this hospital.
The specialty of this hospital is the treatment of children with cancer, as well as children who need a kidney transplant or dialysis. The Russian inhumans decided that this was a military object for them.
It is terrible, very terrible, that the world cannot unite to stop this war. Not war, in fact, but the extermination of the Ukrainian people and the destruction of Ukraine.
Father Sergiy Emanuel
Brighton Beach
Editor’s note: Father Sergiy Emanuel is pastor of Guardian Angel Church and coordinator for Ukrainian immigrants in the Diocese of Brooklyn.
Death Penalty Yes or No
Dear Editor: What is your knowledge of the death penalty?
For the past several months, Pax Christi Queens, a local group of the international Catholic Peace Movement, met to discuss the morality of the death penalty.
We read the book “Dignity and the Death Penalty: Evolution of Catholic Teaching” by Alice Hugh Brown based on Sister Helen Prejean’s work, and watched two movies, “Dead Man Walking,” based on Sister Helen’s book and “Just Mercy,” which deals with the death penalty and racism in prisons. By watching these films, one is moved and begins to see the human beings involved.
What we learned was that the death penalty does not deter crime, is administered inequitably, executes innocent people and costs more than life imprisonment. Also, there are many family members of murder victims that do not want the death penalty.
Every western democratic country except for the U.S. has abolished the death penalty, having found alternate ways to deal with people who commit heinous crimes. Although New York does not have the death penalty, our federal government still executes people.
In announcing 2025 as a Jubilee Year, Pope Francis has implored that “in every part of the world, believers, and their pastors in particular, should be demanding dignified conditions for those in prison, respect for their human rights and above all the abolition of the death penalty.”
As Catholics we believe that Christ came to redeem everyone. The death penalty takes away the guilty person’s chance of redemption. Now is our time to tell public officials to end the death penalty.
Dolores Schmitt
Middle Village
In Praise of Gerard Manley Hopkins
Dear Editor: Father Robert Lauder’s column (“Power of Art to Influence And to Humanize People,” June 22) praises Jesuit poet Gerard Manley Hopkins for his spiritual insights into creation, “God’s Grandeur.”
Another beautiful poem by Hopkins is “Spring and Fall to a Young Child” in which he writes, “Margaret are you grieving, Over Goldengrove unleaving.
The changing of the seasons implies the fate of all life. She herself must leave “Goldengrove” one day. “It is the blight man was born for. It is Margaret you mourn for.”
Brother Ed Kent, O.S.F.
Fresh Meadows
Hey! Where’d It Go?
Dear Editor: I just got my Tablet for June 29-July 6 and discovered my favorite section was missing.
Where was the weekly recipe that can usually be found in the “Net Nook” section?
I am retiring from teaching after 30 years as of July 1, and for the past two years I have been cutting out and saving specific recipes I have been waiting to try.
In my opinion, the recipe is the true unsung hero of the publication.
Thank you for all the recipes I am waiting to try!
Thomas Kundmueller
Auburndale
Editor’s note: Due to the fact that the edition was a double issue there was no Recipe column. We do appreciate your loyalty to the column though.
A Boost for Mental Health
Dear Editor: Kudos to The Tablet for the editorial on mental health (“Please Help Those With Mental Health Struggles,” June 22).
A special thanks to the brave Bishop James Conley, who in a pastoral letter wrote about his own struggles with depression, anxiety and how it affected his life.
The bishop shared the steps he took including professional help, medication and even a sabbatical to get well.
God bless him for his honesty. I’m sure it wasn’t easy to say, “I’m depressed, I’m suffering from anxiety.” So many people suffer in silence because they are ashamed about what others may think.
We have to bring mental health into the forefront. It is as real as heart disease, diabetes, and can be deadly when there is no hope and life is bleak.
Let us all be aware of those who may be suffering from mental health and always be kind in our words towards them. Their suffering is great.
Maria F. Mastromarino
Manalapan NJ