LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Blair should value Bacik's time here

What a wonderful tribute to the Rev. James Bacik in the June 11 op-ed column by S. Amjad Hussain, "The inclusive Father Bacik: Chicago's gain is Toledo's loss."

Dr. Hussain notes what a positive force Father Bacik has been and what significant contributions he has made to this community.

It is unfortunate that Toledo Roman Catholic Bishop Leonard Blair does not value Father Bacik's contributions and allow him to continue to serve the parish he built up over the past 30 years. Toledo's loss, indeed.

Patricia Safford

Wildwood Boulevard

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Editorial cartoon wasn't funny

I was disappointed in your May 30 editorial cartoon about the lawsuits filed by Catholic organizations. Some of your readers likely thought it was clever, but I was not one of them.

The media do not wish to report the basis of the lawsuits: religious freedom. All Americans, not just Catholics, should be concerned about what the Obama Administration is trying to do to our basic rights as stated in the Constitution.

Richard Faist

Sylvania

Catholic rally really about politics

The partisan political rally sponsored by the Toledo Catholic Diocese on June 8 was an outrage ("Protest calls for demise of health-care law; Speakers say birth-control mandate is unconstitutional," June 9). The religious-freedom issue is phony.

Before the protest, Bishop Blair described how the statue of the Virgin Mary in Rosary Cathedral was desecrated. It is his own fault. Bishop Blair's arrogance has alienated more Catholics than the Reformation.

The U.S. Catholic Church and the Diocese of Toledo are partisan political organizations. They have a political agenda: to defeat President Obama and destroy health-care reform.

I am a lifelong Catholic. The government should revoke the Catholic Church's tax-exempt status.

Martin LaPorte

South Reynolds Road

Elections outweigh two-party system

What's wrong with the two-party political system is that the parties seem to be more important than a fair election.

As the Republican presidential primaries progressed, some GOP candidates dropped out before voters in all states had a chance to vote on the entire GOP field.

The Democratic Party sticks by its man. But Democrats should listen to what others in their party have to say about the problems that plague all Americans, and not just throw their support to a standing president. Mr. Obama may not be the man many Democrats want.

A fair election is more important than having to choose the lesser of two evils. But either way, people should vote. Change may come.

Bernie Ball

Telegraph Road

Parents can curb youth violence

I hope programs developed in Cincinnati for ending youth violence will work well in Toledo Public Schools ("Cincinnati initiative offers example for Toledo; Ex-con makes helping young men his calling," May 7).

I'm afraid, though, that they may lead to even more parents relinquishing their responsibilities.

Raymond Heitger

Darlington Road