Letters to the Editor

I enjoyed the substance and content of Rafael Alvarez’s essay “Of gods and dogs in Goa” in the July 25 issue almost as much as I did his writing style.  Alvarez paints imagery one can see, hear, and almost touch in his writing. The reader can see oneself on the ships, trains, riding in the cabs, praying in the basilica, and strolling through the streets. I love that your pilgrimage began on a cargo ship out of the Port of Long Beach, which is where I live. What an adventure!  I appreciate writers who take readers to places as you make the world a smaller place for all God’s children. I’m half-Japanese, having been born and raised there. My mother is from Kumamoto, the southernmost island of Japan and within 50 miles of Goto where St. Francis Xavier and his companions first touched ground in the Land of the Rising Sun.  — John Flaherty is the director of the Pastoral Liturgy and Pastoral Music Certification Programs at Loyola Marymount University’s Center for Religion and Spirituality  

A news brief in the July 11 issue described slain Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman as a “loyal Catholic parishioner.” But I would have to ask: loyal to whom? Definitely not the unborn, as Hortman was instrumental in codifying the right to abortion in the state — an affront to the Catholic faith. Her archbishop called Rep. Hortman an honorable public servant and a loyal Catholic. But I will pray for her soul.  — Cindy Hagon, Santa Barbara

Thank you for the wonderful article by Gregory Orfalea in the July 11 issue chronicling his time in Rome between the death of Pope Francis and the election of Pope Leo.   I’d like to add a note, if I may, to the description of Francis’ tomb. The author eloquently described the simplicity of the tomb in Santa Maria Maggiore, but I think it’s worth reminding ourselves of the proximity of the burial site to the icon of the Virgin Mary known as Salus Populi Romani, meaning Health (or Salvation) of the Roman people.   This was a beloved icon for Pope Francis, and seeing it on TV struck me as a powerful visual. By ensuring that his tomb is positioned near the icon’s location, Francis was testifying not only to his love and devotion to Mary, but seemed to be preaching his last sermon to us, as if to say: If you want to get to heaven, entrust yourself to Mary! In the words of the ancient prayer, we ask her to pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death! — Anne Biondi, Sherman Oaks

Thank you a thousand times for publishing Archbishop Gomez’s column on immigration in the June 27 issue.  Every word of this article is perfect. He has covered everything, beautifully expressing the teachings of the Catholic Church. There is nothing more I can add except to say how grateful I am to God for Archbishop Gomez and my Catholic faith. And for Angelus — don’t let me forget that! — Marilyn Boussaid, St. James Church, Redondo Beach

Thank you to the Angelus team for your sensitive coverage of our recent immigration turmoil here in Los Angeles. The way in which ICE has been conducting immigration raids is truly stomach-turning. It is clear that the goal is to create fear, divide our communities, and pander to political extremists. I know that immigration is not always a black-and-white issue, and that there are legal problems that need to be addressed. But I was consoled to read your reporting in the June 27 issue on the steps priests are taking to make Catholics feel safer and advocate for immigrants. I don’t hear about that anywhere else. — Mike Muñoz, Van Nuys

Joseph Joyce is a good movie reviewer. But his review of “The Ritual” in the June 13 issue was next-level good. He takes what seems to be a tired genre and writes about it in a fresh way, attending both to this particular movie as well as its greater meaning. Well done!