Not Impressed by Dems

Dear Editor: Expressing dissatisfaction with those of us who prioritize a concern for abortion, reader Joseph F. Seminara (Aug. 11) suggests this is somehow not in full accord with a true appreciation for the corporal works of mercy identified by Jesus as the essential qualities of discipleship.

Mr. Seminara seems to identify these acts with the platform of the Democratic Party. And other letters in the Readers’ Forum have insisted that these are values hated by Republicans.

As a Republican and a Catholic, I submit to the truth of Jesus, but remain skeptical with those who believe that turning obligations of mercy away from ourselves and over to government, avoiding the need for personal sacrifice, is not quite what Jesus had in mind. Clearly, it is not what Catholic witnesses like Jacques Maritain, a Catholic philosopher, or Mother Teresa, a saint, had in mind given their emphasis on and commitment to personalism.

It is politically conventional but no less imprudent for voices in Catholic forums to express a view of compassion that associates it with an expansive role of government many Democrats advocate and to express support for the sort of class hatred that eventually filters through much of the misguided legislation that drives many employers out of business as an act of imaginary justice to the little guy. But it is especially unworthy to incessantly demonize Republicans for not jumping on board. We are not Satans. We are your neighbors, your relatives, and members of this diocese.

In assessing political reality, we can decide to remain oblivious to the cold hard data that consistently demonstrates that almost all government programs do not really aid but do long-term damage to those they claim to help. But if we are at all honest, we should at least derive lessons from how people actually live their value systems.

Arthur C. Brooks, author of the recent book, “Who Really Cares,” performed his research on charitable giving intending to uphold the image of the secular, liberal compassion but found instead that those whom secular liberals love to hate, those religious conservatives whom they vilify as “right wing extremists,” to be more generous, both in terms of personal time spent helping the less fortunate and money contributed to that end, by a factor of 10 to one to a hundred to one, depending on the activity.

This is not at all surprising, and it does mirror contrasting assumptions about life. While Republicans have been busy creating legislation designed to provide economic opportunity and liberate the oppressed from governmental dependency, many extreme leftists have continued to persecute and seek to legislate out of existence those generous souls who provide aid and safe harbor to women in crisis pregnancies. Those with any sense of the sacred in human values are targeted for silence. The idea of a baby actually being born from a crisis pregnancy represents a threat to many of the no-fault rationalizations clung to by those committed to sustaining a frivolous disregard for moral values regarding sexual behavior.

A crisis pregnancy birth also represents a threat to those “there are other issues” Catholics who have found ways to dismiss the most vulnerable lives from the community of common concern. It is in the nature of giving to be modest and not self-promoting. Real acts of mercy never involve using the less fortunate as pawns for political self-esteem or to perpetuate cultural myths about right and wrong intended to assuage the moral compromises we tend to make as sinners.

There is room for debate in how best to effect an appreciation for God’s truth in the public square, but there is no reason for conducting this discussion with animosity towards those properly reluctant to see government as Heaven on Earth.

Manuel Calleja
Middle Village

Dear Editor: With all due respect to Joseph F. Seminara, the Democratic Party is responsible for the death of 45 million children. No amount of so-called good works can overcome that crime.

Ernest Folli
Forest Hills

Dear Editor: Please understand that I do not argue the point of other issues which are of extreme importance as well, but we all know that we must have priorities that override other issues. Would you not agree that if we do not fight for life in all its forms, we cannot fight for any other issue?

Let us remember that “Our God, is not a God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.” Lk. 20:38. And I would also like to add that He is neither Democrat nor Republican. He just loves us all, and wants us to be on His side.

Janet L. Kuse
Jamaica

Dear Editor: I find it interesting, albeit, amazing how some folks write into a Catholic newspaper trying to reconcile the Democrat platform with the teachings of the Church.

After consigning abortion (arguably the most critical issue for the Church today) as an afterthought, Joseph Seminara proceeds to give the impression that the Democrats are in tune with Catholicism. This, the Party, that embraces homosexual marriage, condom distribution to young people, opposes tax tuition credits and vouchers, etc., is now, according to Seminara, the voice of the people.He proudly states his support of the Democrats and that is fine. I too have supported certain Democrat candidates, as well as Republican ones when they think the way I think. Unlike Mr. Seminara, I do not go into a state of ecstasy when a person’s name appears under the Democrat star. Do not try to convince anyone that the Democrat Party platforms are in line with the Catholic Church. Quite the opposite.

John Mustaro
Brooklyn

Dear Editor: After having read “Democrats Have Answers?” in Readers Forum (Aug. 11), I feel I must share my opinion.

First I’d like to say abortion is the first priority issue all Catholic voters should have on their mind and conscience in the voting booth when judging candidates for public office.

I’d like to remind the writer that the unborn child is considered least or not at all by many people including pro-abortion politicians.

Also the unborn child is called the poorest of the poor by many important religious leaders.

The writer spoke of recognizing the poor, sick, etc. And rightfully so but not one of these groups of people is being killed at least 4,000 times a day every day in the most gruesome methods imaginable. The unborn child is in this danger.

I would also like to remind the writer “thou shalt not kill” is still one of the Ten Commandments. Abortion is saying no to God and the most evil crime that must be stopped.

I pray that the vast majority of Catholics will realize this and help and pray for all pro-life issues to prevail in all future elections, especially for president.

Rosemary Mangino
Bensonhurst

Where’s Non-Violent Jesus?

Dear Editor: Having read the article by military chaplain Father Jim Krische (July 28) with great interest, I was wondering if our diocesan newspaper could devote the same amount of space to proclaiming the truth of Jesus’ Gospel of non-violence and with the same amount of vigor as exhibited by chaplain Krische in promulgating “God, Country and Military.”  

Can The Tablet be “fair and balanced” by making known to our diocesan family the truth of the non-violent Jesus and His Gospel?  I hope so, and look forward to your positive reply.

With the Peace and Love of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

Jan Wnek
Greenpoint

Iraqi Refugees Need Our Help

Dear Editor: Thank you and Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio for the coverage (July 21) on the Iraqi refugees in Syria.

I am just back from a brief visit to Syria where I visited my religious sisters in the community of the Sisters of Good Shepherd. I saw the daily work of Sister Theresa (mentioned in Bishop DiMarzio’s column), the work of her community, and the circle of volunteers and co-workers, Muslim and Christian, who are responding to the need of these refugees. 

 These children and families have lost everything; they live with neither permanence nor future. Along with the humanitarian aid needed, American citizens must insist that our Congress people establish permanent resettlement slots in America. The 7,000 positions that the U.S. government has promised are insignificant and moving at a snail’s pace. Our policies and actions have created these refugees and we are bound to remedy their plight.

By the way, yes, Sisters of the Good Shepherd are happily present in Brooklyn and the New York province of our international congregation is now celebrating 150 years presence as a New York Province.

Clare Nolan
Manhattan

 
Editor’s Note: Sister Clare is the NGO representative for the Congregation of Sisters of the Good Shepherd at the United Nations.