Letters to the Editor

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!

One of the cheapest forms of praise is the denigration of one person to elevate another. John Allen’s article in the June 13 issue contrasting the current pope with his immediate predecessor is one such example. Allen, typically unbiased, imputes gravity to a series of stylistic, unimportant differences between the two popes during the initial weeks of their papacies. Instead, should we not celebrate the unique gifts of two remarkable pontiffs?