Thank You
Dear Editor: My appreciation to The Tablet and other Catholic media for calling attention to the evils of the abortion industry.
I would warn against the use of the industry’s terms “reproductive care” and “reproductive rights,” as what they are promoting, and selling, has absolutely nothing to do with reproduction.
This deceptive terminology is willfully meant to sanitize abortion, mask what is at play, and link abortion with liberties.
It should not be given any credence whatsoever.
Perhaps on her visit to the abortion center the Vice President Kamala Harris will enter one of the rooms where an abortion is taking place and witness firsthand what abortion actually is and does, and change her course, similar to Abby Johnson’s conversion.
Praying that she will see the truth.
Father Michael W. Panicali
Howard Beach
Politics and the Sanctity of Life
Dear Editor: It is difficult to know that the main concern of the Democrats in Congress and in the White House is legalizing abortion, up until birth and in some cases even after birth. How did this country get so far away from the value of life?
One would hope that a Catholic president at the very least would be a champion for some form of preserving the life of the unborn. Sadly, this president hangs on to the one piece of legislature that he feels will win his re-election: unfettered abortion.
For the first time in our history a Vice President, Kamala Harris, has appeared and campaigned in an abortion clinic.
I will pray every day for a conversion of heart for these politicians, especially the practicing Catholics, who put power before the sanctity of life.
Carolyn L. Courtien
Marine Park
Confused
Dear Editor: Jesus tells us, “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest…” In the Mass we pray the Our Father and recall to mind that we are His beloved children.
Yet in the Mass, we also state that we are unworthy when we utter the words of a Roman centurion, “Lord I am not worthy that thou should come under my roof.” Which is it? Are we unworthy or beloved?
Is Jesus welcoming us only when we approach Him as unworthy subjects?
As a father of three and grandfather of four, never would I consider any of those children to be unworthy before me. Why is it that we are called to belittle ourselves to a state of unworthiness before an all-loving God?
I was blessed with loving parents, to whom I caused much grief in my growing years. And yet, in later years, when I literally sat at my father’s feet and started to apologize, my father simply put his finger to my mouth and shook his head as if to say, “No, there’s no need to apologize.”
Again, to quote Jesus, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
So, what is it, are we unworthy, or are we God’s beloved children?
Jerry Kuzniewski
Whitestone
Editor’s note: Even God’s beloved children are unworthy to receive the great gift of the Eucharist, the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ. In the Lord’s Prayer, we call upon God as our Father and then we ask Him to forgive us our trespasses. He is always ready to grant us His mercy. However, we often refuse to accept it.
Repealing Antiquated Adultery Law
Dear Editor: It has just come to my attention that the law that can punish those who commit adultery has been on the books since 1907.
It is a class B misdemeanor punishable with up to 90 days in jail and a $500.00 fine. Now Assemblyman Democrat Charles Levine from Glen Cove, NY, seeks to repeal the antiquated law where mainly women were charged, and that was rarely.
Now on the other hand, I do believe adultery hurts both married parties in a marriage. Children are also hurt when their parents are involved in adultery.
Adultery is a moral issue and should be addressed by religious leaders if possible and not by the courts. Repealing is the way to go, but remember also adultery is a sin and to commit adultery is so very sad.
All I can do is pray for those who commit adultery.
Yet there are those who are not so lucky. I do remember what Jesus had said when a woman was about to be stoned to death for committing adultery.
“Who is without sin let him cast the first stone.” Let us not therefore judge others.
Frederick Robert Bedell Jr.
Bellerose
Diocese of Queens?
Dear Editor: Why is the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens referred to as the Diocese of Brooklyn?
According to the website for the Diocese, there are more churches in Queens.
Joel Mampilly
Kew Gardens
Editor’s note: The Diocese of Brooklyn was established in 1853. Prior to that, Brooklyn and Queens were part of the Archdiocese of New York. The Diocese of Brooklyn extended out to Montauk until 1957 when the Diocese of Rockville Centre was established.