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Letters to the Editor

A joyous ‘me too’ moment

T. George • Apr 26, 2022
I was struck by Heather King’s column on Caryll Houselander, “Diagnosing a disease of the soul” (April 8 issue), in which she quotes the author’s perception of the most striking feature of that age as being “psychological suffering.”  Houselander names this condition “ego-neurosis,” calling it “a disease of the soul.” She goes on to describe this disease as being characterized by feelings of unhappiness, guilt, frustration, shame, inadequacy, embarrassment, and anxiety. “That’s ego-neurosis?” Heather King exclaims in response. “I thought everyone felt that way!” It’s the kind of writing that captured me the first time I read Angelus as a new Catholic about six months ago. In two brief, humorous, and insightful sentences, she cleaves through the heaviness and isolation of the condition described by Houselander, opening me to the freedom and joy of the authentic human connection as my heart immediately leaps in exclamatory response, “Me too!” Moments like this are when I actually sense the presence of God.  In the very earliest stages of rebuilding a life shattered by alcoholism, it is in these moments that hope penetrates (at least briefly) through the self-condemnation and fear, and I catch a glimpse of the possibility that there really may still be a seat for me at the end of the table.  I have experienced more than one such moment while reading King’s articles. I love Angelus and enjoy reading it cover to cover, but I must admit that I always start with King’s column. — T. George, Santa Barbara County Main Jail

Kudos to ‘Sister Dede’

David Walter • Apr 12, 2022
In regards to the nation brief in the April 8 issue “Nurse nun sues DC over vaccine mandate,” congratulations to Sister Dierdre “Dede” Bryne for courageously insisting on her religious exemption to the COVID-19 vaccine. Does anyone seriously believe God created the human anatomy such that maintaining human health would require products that “have been tested, developed, or produced with cell lines developed from abortions”? — David Walter, Downey

The real beneficiaries of a new abortion law?

Tina Garcia • Apr 12, 2022
The way I read the new law described in the April 8 issue local brief  “California moves to make abortion more affordable” is that it will not cut abortion costs, but instead pass around those costs by increasing insurance premiums. With additional insurance funds available, the abortion business will become even more profitable. — Tina Garcia, Claremont

A story subject who walks the walk

Sarah Cooney • Mar 29, 2022
The article in the March 25 issue, “Tied to a greater purpose” about Richard Grant was especially wonderful to read. It is a joy to learn more about fellow Catholics who spend their lives living the faith. — Sarah Cooney, Altadena

Nordic bishops are right about their German brethren

Marilyn Boussaid • Mar 15, 2022
Regarding the article “Nordic Catholic Bishops: German ‘Synodal Way’ fills us with worry” feature in the “Always Forward” e-newsletter March 12, I agree wholeheartedly with the Nordic bishops in their concerns.  Watering down the Catholic faith and the gospel, in order to satisfy the desires of some people to be like the rest of the world, would not increase the vitality of our parishes, but would kill any spirit of unity, hope, and faith that we have left. I further agree that “Catholics who constitute and carry the life of our parishes and communities ... are not necessarily the ones inclined to fill in questionnaires or participate in group discussions.” The purpose of the synod is not to turn the Church into a man-made institution where we vote on which of God’s commandments and which of the Apostles’ instructions we want to follow. I sincerely hope that the folly of the bishops in Germany will not be repeated. — Marilyn Boussaid, St. James Church, Redondo Beach

Is God leading men to something special for Our Lady?

Paul Binotto • Mar 15, 2022
In the cover story of the Feb. 25 issue “Trending: The Rosary,” John Burger reported that these new public rosaries “are being organized and attended almost exclusively by men.” This is truly a testament to Our Lord’s faithfulness to his people, that his movements through his mother, to restore his people unto himself, should make use predominantly of men. But it’s here where I must depart from Burger’s claim that it is “most surprising.” It seems of little surprise that Our Lord should revive a public rosary devotion, or that he should choose to do so by raising up men as its primary organizer and participant. What more proper antidote to the cultural and spiritual dissolution of our times than to restore defiled femininity, by raising up voices to the praises of Our Lady most undefiled? What surer way of restoring defiled masculinity, than to make those voices overwhelmingly masculine? Dr. Tim O’Malley is right in noting that it’s “important to remember … that the Church teaches that prayer and worship are for the glorification of God first and then for the sanctification of men and women,” and that “prayer can’t be overtaken by the protest.” Yet, today, even the mere espousal of Christian belief in the public square may be considered a protest of the secular, and rightfully quashed. Therefore, these rosary gatherings will be called politically motivated protests regardless, so such concerns shouldn’t alone be the cause of their discouragement. — Paul Binotto, Bridgeville, Pennsylvania

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