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Letters to the Editor

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

The ‘looks’ obsession

Andrew Davis • Jul 13, 2026
Your article about looksmaxxing (“Optimizing ourselves into oblivion,” July 10 issue of Angelus) was excellent and spot-on. You’ve properly illuminated the dreary and dead-end cult of the self. Thank you! — Andrew Davis, Anaheim

Catholicism and Judaism go together

Marilyn Boussaid • Jul 13, 2026
Many thanks for Mike Aquilina’s gripping article on Marcion, enemy of the Old Testament (July 10 issue of Angelus). As a Jewish convert to the Catholic faith, I couldn’t agree more that the Hebrew Scriptures are foundational and essential to the understanding of who Jesus Christ is. So many of the Church’s teachings have their roots in the Old Testament. We have to remind ourselves that the early Christians didn’t have a “New Testament” book. The New Covenant is, as Jesus said, the Eucharist. The Bible consisted of the Scriptures that Jesus read. Thank God we are blessed with learned Scripture scholars, such as Brant Pitre, PH.D., who do such a fine job of explaining the Scriptures for us! I’m often amazed that there are any non-Jewish Catholics at all, let alone a billion of them! I wonder how many people realize what a tremendous grace it is to be Catholic. Catholicism is the fulfillment of Temple worship, according to the pattern shown to Moses on the mountain. The Catholic Church is Jewish. The Old Testament proves it. — Marilyn Boussaid, St. James Church, Redondo Beach

A nice detail in the ‘Miracle’ story

Peter Gloria • Jun 29, 2026
Kudos to Angelus and the archdiocese for highlighting a Catholic high school graduate who isn’t Catholic in its June 26 issue. I found the story of Miracle Tisdale’s survival and path to success immensely inspiring. But I also thought it showed how Catholic education isn’t just for Catholics, but has a mission for everyone. Growing up, I had Catholic school friends in my class who weren’t even religious, but years later, it’s clear that the values, formation, and lessons acquired those years have guided them ever since. I’m sure the same will be true for Miracle Tisdale. — Peter Gloria, Hawthorne

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