An Affront to the Dignity Of the Deceased
Dear Editor: Please object to the bill allowing the composting of human remains (“Catholics Blast Bill Allowing Composting of Human Remains,” May 22).
This is an affront to the dignity of the deceased and their families. We, the citizens of these United States, do not need to compost human remains. The deceased should be remembered with dignity. They should not be treated as common garbage. No one needs an elaborate funeral. There are more economical options.
Even dogs are buried with a heavy heart by those who hold them dear. Why should humans be sacrificed so abysmally and turned into compost when there is an option to honor their memory?
Providence Calderon
Forest Hills
In Their Eyes, We are Just Human Compost
Dear Editor: As reported in The Tablet (“Catholics Blast Bill Allowing Composting of Human Remains,” May 22), State Senator Leroy Comrie, Democrat of Queens, and State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Democrat of Westchester, have introduced a bill that aims to allow the composting of human remains in New York State.
First, this bill is disrespectful to human dignity. Second, the bill serves as a reminder that Hitler and the Nazis burned their innocent victims and left them for “compost.” Third, this bill is an attack on lower-income New Yorkers and especially on poverty-level immigrants to the country who are unable to afford the purchase of a cemetery plot.
If Comrie and Paulin actually wanted to help New Yorkers, they could introduce a bill that would help control the high costs of wakes, funerals, and burials, or one that would provide government assistance for wakes, funerals, and burials. Rather, they believe that our loved ones are equal simply to compost. This bill is unsettling and a disrespect to human dignity on all levels. In their eyes, we are just human compost.
L. A. San Miguel
Gravesend
A Common Sense Solution to Mental Illness
Dear Editor: Finally, someone has addressed the problem of mental illness with a common-sense solution. That would be Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, who supports expanding the use of Kendra’s Law, which was passed 20 years ago. It would allow judges to compel people with serious mental illness to take medication or undergo psychiatric treatment.
Adams also supports an increase of beds in psychiatric facilities, a mandated treatment that has declined in recent years. This is a very serious problem that must be a top priority now, not only for the safety of our people but for the sake of our economic recovery since tourism will never return until this problem is met head-on.
Thomas and Constance Dowd
Oakland Gardens
Kudos to Catholic Schools
Dear Editor: While hundreds of thousands of New York City public school kids were basically cheated out of a year of their education by the greedy, power-hungry public schools teachers’ union, Catholic schools opened their doors last September and have stayed open all year long. Catholic school teachers and principals make a fraction of what their public school counterparts make, yet they were able to teach their students while keeping themselves and their students safe.
As a life-long Catholic educator, I am proud to have been a member of that group of dedicated educators. You deserve great gratitude and respect for doing God’s work under very challenging conditions.
Robert DiNardo
Farmingdale
Cast the First Stone
Dear Editor: I agree with Mr. John Amato (Reader’s Forum, May 15). Keep Columbus Day on the Calendar. At present, I have 10 calendars, 9 of which celebrate Columbus Day on Monday, October 11, 2021. One recognizes Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 11.
Yes, I too am ashamed of Columbus’ treatment of the Indigenous People, but I challenge you: “The one without sin, cast the first stone.”
Sister Dorothea Jurkowski
Connecticut