Dear Editor: The Editor’s Space (Jan. 6) on your expectations for the agendas of Pope Francis and President Trump was puzzling and disturbing.
You correctly note pronounced differences between them, but then go on to create an unfortunate identity in their actions and underlying principles. Let me note one particular problem.
You state that people “do not want to be controlled by abusive rules and overbearing laws and so they are responding positively when their leaders unleash their ability to chart their own courses.”
I do not think that Pope Francis is endorsing an unbridled self-determination. In line with his predecessors, especially Pope St. John Paul II, he insists repeatedly on one of the pillars of Catholic social teaching, the principle of solidarity.
This means that we achieve our fullest potential in our service to others and the larger community. This requires empathy, compassion, humility and persevering commitment, especially to the most vulnerable in our society. It demands an awareness that ultimately we are responsible to everyone for everyone and for everything. This is not a comfortable teaching and indeed can be burdensome. But it becomes possible when we contemplate the One who took upon Himself the burden of our sinful humanity.
Msgr. John Strynkowski
Malverne, L.I.
Dear Editor: I was deeply troubled by your comparison of President Donald Trump and Pope Francis (Jan. 6). Your comparison has troubled me all week. I was reminded of the absurdity of the comparison when President Trump referred to certain countries as “s-hole” countries.
Donald Trump is the President of the United States and needs to speak and act with the dignity and integrity that the Office of the Presidency requires. This office should not belittle people and call names. What are we teaching our children? We want our children to learn respect and tolerance.
President Trump is not a role model for our children. He says whatever comes into his head. He has little impulse control and does not think of the consequences of what he says. What kind of President insults the head of a bellicose nation by calling him “Rocket Man?” Then, he made it worse by saying he has a bigger button on his desk to escalate tension. Name calling and bragging about being bigger and better can only heighten tensions.
Pope Francis welcomes the poor and the immigrants. He is a man of God, living out the Gospel values. He does not call people names when he disagrees. He treats individuals with dignity and respect. He is a role model for our children. He is a man of peace.
Perhaps the common thread is that both men speak from the heart. The heart of Pope Francis speaks humbly and gently. He is a holy man seeing God in each of us. Therefore, he treats all people deeply conscious of their innate goodness. His heart cannot treat people disrespectfully.
On the other hand, when President Trump speaks from his heart, he mocks and ridicules. He demeans the dignity of human beings.
Whether we are Democrats or Republicans, we need to treat everyone with respect. We need to teach our children that Pope Francis is a person to emulate. I remain horrified by your comparison of Pope Francis and Donald Trump.
FLORENCE MOLLOY
Bay Ridge
Dear Editor: It was heartening to read Bishop DiMarzio’s intelligent and compassionate comments on immigrants (Jan. 6).
Also, the cartoon on the op-ed page was right on target as to the qualities missing in 2017. I was struck by the dichotomy between these two pieces and the comments found in The Editor’s Space attempting to equate the Pope and the President.
The pope epitomizes the qualities noted in the cartoon. Can the same be said of the president?
JAMES ROSETTI
Sandy Springs, Ga.
Editor’s Note: There was no attempt to equate the pope and president, just pointing out that each has tapped into a different public sentiment.
To compare the Pope and the President is foolish as their mandates are clearly different. Yes, sometimes the Pope remarks create confusion among faithful Catholics and he interjects into the political arena rather than guide on the faith delivering words of inspiration. He is not infallible on issues OUTSIDE of the faith and has said issues that leave many wondering why he even said the words. It has happened, the faithful understand the words and Christ as their guidance.
While the President is brash, the ground was fertile for his election as many were tired of silver tongued words that sought to divide us one against the other and without the rational thoughts and actions to support the country. President Trump need not be a man of the cloth but he does need to be someone to lift the country out of it’s sinking economy for a country that cannot provide the dignity of employment to it’s citizens is doomed for failure and the anguish of many who will not be able to afford the necessities of family life. So far the government investments for those in public service – firemen, police, civil service have a market that is soaring and may lift these pension plans up which means less taxes from citizens to support these systems. It also means 401k and company plans have the same advantage – retirement funds are getting a boost for the elderly as well.
While the mainstream media has taken a vacation from reporting the facts and seek to manipulate them to maneuver public opinion the only way to get them off their ‘agenda’ is to push back and the President does that, sad but true. If the mainstream media was reporting facts instead of “steering” people, the field would be more civil.
Yet, I do agree that the exchange could be more civil, however if anyone else was elected we would be seeing a President either perpetuating the status quo because of media bashing or another who was a pro-abortion candidate committed to a more progressive/liberal America. Catholics have a pro-life candidate that actually supported the Right to Life march…..give some room and look at the big picture and the colliding political Agendas and you may realize why the words are harsh, both sides, the stakes are high for a continuing America that is able to be a land of opportunity for all.
To say that Trump’s words are “brash” is a gross understatement. To label some countries “s***holes” is far from what we should expect from our president and far from being what I consider “brash.”