LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Death penalty column rational

11/24/2013

Thanks to Jeff Gerritt, The Blade’s deputy editorial page editor, for taking on the contentious issue of capital punishment in a forthright way (“Ohio should kill capital punishment,” op-ed column, Nov. 17). It is rare to find someone capable of thinking rationally about the dealth penalty.

The moral gravity of the death penalty is measured less by what it does to the executed than by what it does to the executioners. We too must pay its terrible price.

BRUCE KNECHT

Old Stone Court

 

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Bishops, priests not social agents

While taking care of the poor is one of the Catholic Church’s concerns, it is not the main concern of bishops and priests (“Toledo’s next bishop,” editorial, Nov. 9).

Bishops and priests’ main duty is to preach the word of God. This word encourages lay persons to be involved in social services.

Your editorial notes that Peter Feldmeier of the University of Toledo laments that the moral voice of the church has been compromised. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The church warns against the sins of abortion and homosexuality, and the destructive social impact of divorce on families. On the pastoral front, the church offers compassion and forgiveness to those who follow these dangerous practices.

This is not a Vatican control problem; it is part of the responsibility given to bishops and priests in proclaiming the Gospel. To neglect this would be apostasy.

STEVE CHERRY

Oregon

 

Pastoral bishops few, unfortunately

Some of your readers equate being a good bishop with closing parishes, refusing to consider the impact such actions had on parishioners, leading a witch-hunt against the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, and keeping himself aloof and in love with the trappings of power ("Editorial on Blair off the mark," Readers’ Forum, Nov. 18).

Pope Francis is looking for shepherds of the people who are not in love with the idea of being a bishop. Bishop Leonard Blair always has had his eyes on the corporate prize, and he is not alone. Many of the corporate clergy are in the titular scramble.

I never have understood ring-kissing and insistence on titles. Jesus was not that kind of person, and neither was the Pope’s namesake, St. Francis of Assisi.

Examples of pastoral bishops have been few and far between. Let all of us Catholics pray that the numbers of pastoral bishops increase until they are the norm, not the exception.

JACK McCOMMIS

Sabra Road

 

New bishop should be inclusive

In response to your Nov. 12 article “Pope’s agent urges new focus for U.S. bishops; Vatican tells conference to make Catholics feel more welcome in church”: I interpret “welcome” to mean inclusive. I hope bishops take the message to heart and mind.

KAREN WIKOFF

Tiffin