Another View of Scanlan

Dear Editor: Your printing of Mr. Alan Wallace’s letter (April 7) on the tenure of Patrick Scanlan at The Tablet needs some response.

Despite the Lincoln Brigade/Hemingway mythology, the Spanish Civil War was not a clear democracy vs. fascism fight. Carlton Hayes, the historian and later U.S. envoy to Spain, understood the complexities and outrages of both sides in that conflict.

Jewish refugees from Hitler found a haven in Spain and in every Spanish consular and ambassadorial office. Franco tried to claim Spanish citizenship for Sephardic Jews where he and his officials could do so. Much of what he did was during a shameful period when the U.S. refused refuge for Hitler’s Jewish victims.

As a member of the Liberal Party, I have always been proud of the difficult work done by our members under the leadership of Alex Rove and David Dubinsky in freeing many unions from conspiratorial Communist control. As a product of the Labor Movement, I point with pride and gratitude to the work of Jay Lovestone and Albert Shanker in combatting on an international scene the secret machinations of the totalitarian Reds. Other labor activists in individual countries did the same. Would Mr. Wallace criticize us for our twin obsessions of combatting Communists and the Mob?

Like Cardinal Spellman and the Vatican, many Catholics openly disagreed with Mr. Scanlan’s oppositions to the United Nations, but we, likewise, bemoaned Roosevelt’s Yalta Agreement which ceded so much to Stalin. Pat Scanlan, for all our differences with him, never merited being demonized as Mr. Wallace has done.

He was a vigorous foe of the totalitarianism of Stalin. As we rejoice in the victories of the Solidarity Movement and the peaceful transition in Spain to a democratic constitutional monarchy in Spain under Franco’s protégé, King Juan Carlos, who bravely prevented a military coup against the fledgling Spanish republic, let us not blithely attack the many, in various ways, who helped to bring about these hard won victories.

Mr. Wallace, the Communist threat was as real and as deadly as was Hitler.

Frank Arricale
Brooklyn

Where Are Pro-Life Candidates?

Dear Editor: I’m writing this letter to ask all fellow Catholics to pray starting now for a good viable pro-life, no exceptions, candidate to become our next president. The choices we have now are atrocious, to say the least. The front runner for the Republican party (Mr. Giuliani) is totally and completely pro-abortion and calls himself a Catholic. I call that a hypocrite or phony. On the Democratic side, every candidate is pro-abortion.

We need our voices out there as true intelligent dedicated Catholic pro-lifers and let these people know we do not go along with this nonsense. There is no other issue that needs such immediate help, care and prayer. This is a matter of life and death for a baby, a human being! Remember no one has the right to play God.

These pro-abortion candidates act and speak like they do when speaking on abortion. What we do have is the right to stand up for and obey God’s Holy Word, work and plan and do all we can possibly do to save the babies in danger.
It will be devastating to the pro-life movement if a pro- abortion candidate wins from any political party.

So, fellow Catholics, please educate yourself in this presidential race and never cease to pray about it.

Remember God can do anything and everything. The unborn need us.

Rosemary Mangino
Bensonhurst

Need More Good Religious

Dear Editor: I was so pleased to read two recent pieces in The Tablet: the editorial on St. Joseph (March 24) and the article on the ministry of Brother Charles Nuzzo, FSC (Feb. 10). 

Since I was educated by the Sisters of Saint Joseph and work with the De La Salle Christian Brothers, I was delighted that their “...long, and largely quiet heritage building the Church in Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island...(and their) quiet dedication” finally did make the headlines. Thank you.

As a lay teacher, I have been enriched by my association with the Brothers and treasure my history with the Sisters of Saint Joseph.  

These two articles remind us of the blessings vocations to the religious life bring to the Church.  Let us pray for new vocations and encourage young people to choose a life of service. 

Cecilia Gottsegen
Fort Greene

Mater Christi H.S. Lives!

Dear Editor: Thank you for recognizing and honoring the Mater Christi alums in “Tip of the Tablet Talk Top Hat.”  In this age of so many school closings, these Catholic School grads from 1968 are saying that it is time for us to roll up our sleeves and do something for the children of today. They do not want to see school closings, but want schools to thrive.

If other grads from Christian Brothers schools want to join them at the golf tournament on April 30 or in other activities, they can contact Bill Lavelle at wlavelle@optonline.net.

Brother Edward Shields, FSC
East Elmhurst

Emmys for Religious Film

Dear Editor: In this Easter season resounding with Alleluias, I’m happy to raise another one: The Everyday, the documentary film described in my Up Close and Personal column, won two Emmy Awards on Palm Sunday night. 

Father Martin Boler, prior of Mount Saviour Monastery, was among an estimated 700 attendees at the star studded 50th annual New York Emmy Awards ceremony in Broadway’s Marriott Marquis Hotel. His presence was an expression of appreciation to local filmmakers Matthew Kells and Sean McGinn and their crew, as well as his delight in The Everyday’s promotion of Mount Saviour’s life and spiritual values.

The Everyday is available at www.filmbaby.com.

Sister Camille D’Arienzo, RSM
Glendale 

A Quiet Apostle

Dear Editor: In Father Lauder’s column (April 7), I read about Dick Hughes, whom Father knew. I also knew Mr. Hughes, through his working with my husband at the old Brooklyn Union Gas Co. (now known as KeySpan).

Dick was a nice guy. Very helpful and a gentle person. He didn’t say much when we were all gathered together but on a one-to-one basis, he was powerful. He took me aside and told me about Mother Teresa and her inspiring message to him to keep on doing what he was doing. The Penny Catechism was his banner. He had a few with him all the time and I got one from him.

It was so good to read all about Dick’s war years’ experiences, since that was almost a secret with him.

Thank you, Father Lauder, for bringing back nice memories of my husband Alex’s co-worker. I guess he has people in Heaven reading the Penny Catechism too, although it must bring laughter to them now.

May we have more “quiet apostles” like Dick Hughes.

Caroline M. Watz
Glendale

Symbolic Washing of Hands

Dear Editor: I attended Mass on Holy Thursday at Holy Family Home, Brooklyn. The chapel was full of residents, many in wheelchairs, family members, and friends.

Father James Mueller was the priest who celebrated the Mass. He is the pastor of St. Finbar’s parish in Brooklyn.

He was remarkable in the way he went to every person in the chapel and washed their hands. It was not possible to wash the feet of the residents, so he washed their hands.

He did what Jesus would have done.

I have never witnessed anything so humble and so holy as the way Father Mueller treated everyone.

The pastoral care at Holy Family is taken care of by Sister Teresita, SFP, and many wonderful volunteers.

Peggy O’Halloran
Dyker Heights