Too Forgiving of Imus

Dear Editor: The Editor’s Space (April 14) was much too much forgiving of Imus simply because he had something to offer in the political arena and because he was involved in charitable endeavors. That is not sufficient.   He had offended too many groups too long and, as the old saying goes, things do not get better until they get worse.  

In his last outburst, it got worse; not because he picked on the black youth, but because some felt enough is enough.  

As sometime listeners, to pick up the political conversations, Catholics like I were offended too many times.  Amongst his many insulting remarks he said of the potential for sainthood of Mother Teresa: “Is (she) a legitimate candidate for sainthood or a no-good b_____?”. 

He kept pushing the bar lower and lower on those he chose to abuse of all groups — religious, ethnic, skin color, language or even weight level.  

Of course, we recognize that he has been no more offensive than many others in the diversified media outlets, not to mention rap, but enough is enough. We Catholics continue to be too laid back in protecting our faith on insults of the Imus kind. It took a group of blacks, legitimate as they were in their demands for his firing; but where were Catholics in our protests? Many writers in the past week listed in their comments the groups that were offended but few mentioned Catholics; like we are to be dismissed, but certainly not unified in defense of our faith.

Yes, it was/is time for Imus to go; an example must be made of his contempt for so many years. And, if his redemption is personal, and the networks understand that they have to raise the bar on such matters in their future choices of “spokespersons,” then much will have been accomplished to return the various media outlets to some standards of responsibility.

Peter Purpura
Breezy Point

Thanks to Father Catoir

Dear Editor: A hearty thank you to Father John Catoir for his explanation (April 14) of the relationship between the Sunnis and the Shiites. His article cleared up my puzzlement once and for all.

Solita M. Sheehan
Brooklyn

Appreciation in Bayside

Dear Editor: I am writing to thank you for Stefanie Gutierrez’s excellent article (April 7) about a project worked on by the faculty, students, and parents of Sacred Heart School, Bayside. When I attended the Easter liturgies at Sacred Heart, I was stopped by many parishioners who applauded both our special project and the fact that The Tablet gave us a half page.

The focus of our special project was to reach out to another school in need. One special hope that we have is that maybe our act of giving will spur others to do the same in their own special way. As a principal of a Catholic elementary school, I know that all of us are in need of assistance. I encourage the readership of The Tablet to reach out to their local school or the one that they attended. Every small donation makes a big difference.

Thanks again for such a special article.

Dennis J. Farrell
Bayside

Don’t Apologize for Scanlan

Dear Editor: Please do not apologize to Alan Wallach for Patrick Scanlan’s 50 years as editor of The Tablet.

Mr. Wallach (April 7) may be a historian by profession, but I would encourage him to read “The Last Crusade” by Warren Carroll who taught history at Christendom College in Virginia. In it, he shows that if Franco didn’t step in and fight against the loyalists (which is a misnomer) there would be no Catholic Church left in Spain. I cannot give other details because it would take too long.

Scanlan was right in backing Franco. Joe McCarthy was disliked by everyone in Washington, D.C. That alone proves he was above the crowd and an American patriot. Scanlan was right on that one. What’s wrong with printing the Legion of Decency pledge? Scanlan was right on that one too.

Remember what Roosevelt said before we entered World War II. In order to get reelected, he said, “Our boys will never fight on foreign soil.” Scanlan was right on that one.

Patrick Scanlan was a great Catholic Editor of a great Catholic paper, The Tablet. If he was not right on all issues, we cannot censure him for that.

Joseph F. Murray
Saranac Lake, N.Y.

A Great Pro-Life Candidate

Dear Editor: A reader wrote that the Republican front runner and all the Democratic candidates in the 2008 presidential race are pro-abortion (“Where Are Pro-Life Candidates,” April 14). There is at least one pro-life candidate running for President: U.S. Senator Sam Brownback, Republican from Kansas. For whatever reason, Senator Brownback has not received the same attention as Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney. Mr. Brownback is pro-life in every sense of the word. He also happens to be a convert to the Catholic faith. If Catholics are looking for a pro-life candidate, they should give Senator Brownback a serious look and encourage others to do the same.

Christopher Iasiello
Cobble Hill

Great Spirit in Queens South

Dear Editor: I’d like to share an experience that speaks of the real spirit of Church alive in our midst.

Invited to speak about Hour Children’s ministry to the Social Outreach Committee of a cluster in Queens South, I encountered a dedicated group with members from St. Anthony of Padua, Holy Child, St. Benedict Joseph Labre, Mary Gate of Heaven, St. Elizabeth, and St. Thomas the Apostle parishes.

Their commitment to enflesh the Gospel mandate to serve the poor and needy has been humbly lived out over the past six years through a variety of activities and events. Concerned about support at the local level and the lack of full parish/cluster participation were issues discussed openly and honestly. All comments were couched in language that spoke of a deep love and commitment to our Church and its future.

Sister Tesa Fitzgerald, CSJ
Long Island City

Keep Holy First Communion

Dear Editor: As First Communion season approaches, we have become aware especially in recent years how easily a pagan-like “First Communion Culture” can overcome even the best efforts of catechists to prepare young children for the beauty and dignity of a Eucharistic celebration.

Efforts by Bishop DiMarzio to educate parents more effectively on the Eucharist and by the Office of Evangelization to emphasize the parish, not the school, as the locus of celebration, are certainly a step in the right direction.

However, it seems to me that if we are going to effectively counteract the secular First Communion culture that is invading our parish celebrations, we must have the courage to name and confront the idolatry that often parades itself as the traditional manner in which any given culture observes First Communion. For example, behind some of the extreme overemphasis on the need for picture taking during the First Communion Mass itself is a mentality that seems to believe that the Eucharistic Christ is present in the child only at the moment of the actual physical reception of the host into the child’s mouth. This is often seen as the moment that must be captured on camera or else the First Communion moment is lost forever.

No amount of parent meetings or guidelines can ever substitute for a lack of courage in confronting cultural misunderstanding and abuse of the proper celebration for and reverence for the Eucharistic banquet.

David Powell
Glendale

No Clapping for Homily

Dear Editor: I think that it is inappropriate to clap for a priest after he has given his homily, no matter how inspiring the homily was. If he is a humble priest, the clapping will embarrass him and make him feel as though he has done something wrong. If he is not a humble priest, then that will cause another problem — the sin of pride.

Patty Jones 
Brooklyn

Letter Writers, Get Real

Dear Editor: Each week you receive letters expressing views on social, religious and philosophical and political issues leading to debates. At the same time, persecution of Christians is being carried on throughout the world. What is more important? How many angels fit on the head of a pin or how many heads fit on the edge of a sword.

Joseph T. Klonowski
Middle Village