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Letters to the Editor

Underselling this month’s synod

Diane Collison • Oct 07, 2024
After reading Elise Allen’s preview of the October 2024 Synod of Bishops on Synodality “A Flat Finish?,” I have some questions.   When was the last time the Catholic Church dared to raise the issues for open discussion such as: the relationship between the Eastern Catholic Church and the Latin Church; revision of documents for priestly formation and the role of bishops; vocal confession of such sins as those committed against women; forums including a woman theologian and a woman on canon law?   A “flat finish?” Respectfully, it sounds to me like Pope Francis is just warming up. — Diane Collison, Broomfield, CO

Don’t equate PETA with TV villain

Jennifer O’Connor • Sep 23, 2024
Regarding Robert Brennan’s Sept. 17 AngelusNews.com column “Both PETA and Tonia Haddix have it all wrong in ‘Chimp Crazy’ ”: God’s purpose is spelled out in the Bible’s account of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1) and in the visions of the prophets Isaiah, Amos, Micah, and others. In every instance, God’s ideal is one in which there is no animal exploitation. Tonia Haddix has purposefully caused, and continues to cause, immeasurable animal suffering. Tonka, and the other victims rescued from this proven liar, are thriving in their new sanctuary homes. Rather than garnering support, Haddix exemplifies why primates do not belong in private homes. PETA’s position — that no chimpanzee, monkey, or other wild animal should be kept as a surrogate human child — is the antithesis of the attitude of exotic animal brokers like Haddix. The Church instructs that humanity’s dominion demands “a religious respect for the integrity of creation.” To deny animals their God-given nature by forcing them to serve as pets or props is to ignore their “particular goodness.” This mindset must end. — Jennifer O’Connor, PETA Foundation, Norfolk, Virginia

One candidate less dangerous than the other?

Dorothy Hage • Sep 23, 2024
Having worked in pro-life ministry for many years, I was grateful to see coverage of the IVF debate (“The IVF danger we don’t see”) and the problem with the fate of frozen children in the Sept. 20 issue.  However, I take umbrage with the fact that presidential candidate Donald Trump — who is more reluctant in his stance on IVF — was mentioned twice by name. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris, who has been way more vehement in her support of IVF, was not named once. She has made “reproductive rights” a major theme of her presidential run and has very liberal views on abortion — at the expense of the “we the people.” — Dorothy Hage, Newbury Park

Another perspective on guns

Scott Welsh • Sep 09, 2024
The column by Greg Erlandson in the Sept. 20 issue (“The monsters in our own nightmare”) picks incidents that are not the norm in order to call for gun control.  What he fails to mention are how many times a year guns are used in self-defense (2 million, according to one statistic) where no one is shot. But I guess those potential victims are better than the thug dying or being shot in the process.  More people die as a result of gun control policies than are saved.  — Scott Welsh, Lewistown, Montana

What do we mean by defending ‘life’?

Linda Johnson • Sep 09, 2024
When it comes to the Sept. 6 issue Letter to the Editor in response to John Allen’s piece “More than a swing vote,” I'm always surprised that so many Catholics see “life” only in terms of abortion. The Catholic teaching on life is that we defend and value human life from conception to natural death. That covers death from abortion, disease, gun violence, euthanasia, extreme poverty, war, etc. Gun violence is now the No. 1 cause of death of children. When voting, each Catholic must follow his own conscience: Which leader advocates policies that are likely to save the most lives? — Linda Johnson, Long Beach

Voting for life

Sally Carpenter • Aug 26, 2024
Regarding “More than a swing vote” by John L. Allen Jr in the Aug. 9 issue: When voting this fall, remember that in the spring Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to several states in the “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms Tour” to stump for legal abortion.  She visited a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in Minnesota and praised the staff for its “true leadership” in providing health care. Harris never dropped by a pregnancy center to speak with women who chose life. Her values are not Catholic values. — Sally Carpenter, Moorpark

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