Menu

Letters to the Editor

The consequences of the ‘right to reproduce’

Avery • Oct 05, 2026
I salute Angelus and writer Theresa Farnan for the sensitive yet unequivocal approach to the “right to reproduce.” I am not very familiar with the effort described in The New York Times article Farnan references. But one of my close friends is a practicing Catholic who was conceived through IVF. She has struggled most of her life with the Church’s teaching, and wondered if she was a real person in God’s eyes. But with the help of priests and a strong Catholic community around her here in Denver, she is overcoming her sense of shame and finding a sense of belonging. She considers IVF wrong and, because of her experience, wouldn’t wish it on any family. But she also considers this a “cross” in her life that helped her look for God. I’m sure there are many people like her today, including children delivered via surrogate, who struggle with the same identity problems. We need to think more about the consequences of technology on the human person. — “Avery,” Denver, Colorado

Gender dysphoria as a cry for help

Linda Johnson • Sep 21, 2026
Although I basically agree with Dr. Grazie Pozo Christie that biological males should stay off of women’s teams and gender changing treatments should not be given to minors, I was disappointed in the dismissive tone of her article (“The Truth is Obvious,” July 24 issue). She should know that gender dysphoria causes severe mental anguish and even suicide in young people. She should also know that while a toddler can intuitively tell you who is male and who is female, an educated adult should know that a small number of people are born with gender ambiguity and chromosomes that don’t clearly indicate male or female. There is a lack of compassion conveyed in the article. I read a Catholic magazine to get the Catholic perspective on an issue. Jesus asked us to love our neighbors, even the “least” among us. How do we help the child with gender dysphoria? That’s what I want to know. — Linda Johnson, Long Beach

More care needed for women

Lisa Hendey • Sep 06, 2026
I’m grateful to Dr. Grazie Pozo Christie for her perspective in “A Catholic doctor’s take on hormone replacement therapy” in the Sept. 4 issue. As a wife, mother, grandmother, and someone who has long worked to support and encourage women, I find it good to see conversations that support and uplift women. So often, we who care for others put our own self-care last. I believe our families and friends sometimes suffer as a result. I’m currently three years out from a Stage III estrogen-positive breast cancer diagnosis and in active treatment with aromatase inhibitors, medication that lowers estrogen levels in the body to treat or prevent hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. So I was particularly happy to read Christie’s wisdom that this is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Her counsel that clinical decisions should be made in consultation with one’s physician is prudent. It’s time for more faithful discussions like this one, thoughtfully addressing the correlation between our mental, emotional, and physical well-being and our spiritual journeys, to take place in trusted women’s ministry settings. — Lisa Hendey, CatholicMom.com, Los Angeles

An overlooked aspect of ‘Gray Divorce’

Penny B. • Aug 24, 2026
I am a steadfast fan of Elise Ureneck’s writing, yet I felt her recent piece on “Gray Divorce” (“Divorce Down the Road,” July 24 issue) was missing the nuance that accompanies so many divorces. I am not a gray divorcée; I was divorced before 30, after just five years of marriage. However, in the process of my divorce, I joined a support group filled completely with “Gray Divorces” — both those who initiated and those who were left. Her piece recognized the identity shift that accompanies empty-nesting or the hormone shift in menopause — both of which are very real — but in those I know of, “Gray Divorce” was not a factor at all. In hearing my friends’ stories, their marriages were a lot like mine, but instead of exiting after five years, they waited for a multitude of reasons (unwilling to split parenting time, financial inability, faith, or hope, etc). And when divorce happened, it was not a decision that happened lightly; instead, it was one that took years (for one friend, 15 years) of trying to work on their marriage and self-sacrifice. I do not know what the solution is, and I do agree with the advice listed in the article on how to help marriages. I just feel that perhaps there was room for the voices of those who actually initiated “Gray Divorce” and the heartache that goes into that. —  Penny B., Alhambra

More support needed for ‘Gray Divorce’

Julie Monell-Auzenne • Aug 10, 2026
I was thrilled to see Angelus recognizing the concerns of the “Gray Divorce” population in the Catholic Church (“Divorce Down the Road,” July 24 issue) that has been overlooked for many years. For 25 years, as a volunteer facilitating separated and divorced support groups at the parish level and the past coordinator of the Separated and Divorced Ministry in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, I have witnessed the Gray Divorce search for support in the midst of grieving from the loss of their marriage.  The need is great for every diocese and local parishes to have adequate ministry for separated and divorced Catholics along with strong pastoral guidance for the Gray Divorce population since this can be a time filled with potential new growth and responsiveness to grace for them. Do not lose the opportunity to support these Catholics!  —  Julie Monell-Auzenne, Immaculate Conception Church, Monrovia

West Virginia’s new bishop gives hope

Sebastian Garcia • Jul 27, 2026
I appreciated Msgr. Richard Antall’s essay (July 24 issue of Angelus) on Bishop Evelio Menjívar-Ayala’s installation as bishop of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia. It’s a story that seems too good to be true, but also a tribute to God’s creativity and the contributions of immigrants to our Church.  I have little idea what kind of a shepherd this bishop has been or will be, but we should all be rooting for him.  —  Sebastian Garcia, Bakersfield

SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR

To submit by mail, send to Letters, Angelus, 4311 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90010-3708. Include a telephone number and address. To submit online, click below.

WRITE A LETTER

SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Continue the conversation! We welcome your comments. Anonymous letters, personal attacks, or libellous comments will not be published. Please complete all the required fields in the form below.

  • Contact Information

  • Your Letter

  • Letters must be no more than 300 words. We reserve the right to edit for style, brevity, and clarity.
reset button icon

Start your day with Always Forward!

A daily email newsletter to help you better understand the Church and the world.