Letters to the Editor

Please thank Dr. Grazie Pozo Christie for one of the finest pieces I have read on this topic. Depression certainly ensues after many abortions, but I would suggest that most of the time it is a result of the male partner not being willing to fully commit to a permanent relationship with the mother and child.  Most males will say anything to get access to sex, and often change their tune when a pregnancy occurs. I don’t know what Catholic boys are being taught these days in that regard, but it’s as old a story as human history.  Girls often pretend to desire sex in the hope that it will cement the relationship into something more permanent. Then they become pregnant, the male doesn’t step up, and to save their parents shame or out of other fears, they resort to abortion. No wonder they are depressed!  Some straight talk on this dynamic would go a long way toward getting at the real reason for many of these abortions, and I thank Dr. Christie for her insightful contributions to Angelus.   -Constance White, Pasadena

Dear Editor, I really enjoyed the Stefano Rebeggiani's review of "Marriage Story." His Catholic perspective about the movie and marriage itself according to the Bible principles makes a positive impact on a very sad Hollywood movie of our times. Thomas Aquinas once said: “It is clear that offspring is the most essential thing in marriage, secondly fidelity, and thirdly the sacrament; even as to man it is more essential to be in nature than to be in grace, although it is more excellent to be in grace” (Summa Theologiae IIIb:49:3). The correlation with wine makes Stefano's article even more beautiful! I will keep going back to the fountain and nourishing my marriage daily. -Clarissa Cervantes, Marina del Rey

Dear Editor, This is a wonderful article about St. Gregory of Narek. I have read it twice and it brought tears to my eyes both times. I am not Armenian, in fact, I am a Jewish convert to the Catholic faith. Nevertheless, after reading about St. Gregory of Narek in the Angelus, I feel very connected with this Saint. Mercy and unity are two of my passions, so it warmed my heart to learn about St. Gregory's contributions in those areas. Add to that the "prayer of forgiveness" quoted (in Michael Papazian's gracious translation) from the "Book of Lamentation," and how could I help but weep as I read this beautiful article? Thank you! Blessings, Marilyn Boussaid St. James Parish, Redondo Beach

Your article on St. Martin of Tours surviving the Getty fire was interesting. But the real miracle, and I mean miracle, was that neither Mount Saint Mary's University nor Carondelet Center burned. The fire came to the base of the buildings and stopped.

My most heartfelt and prayerful congratulations to our Archbishop José Gomez upon his election by his peers to become the President of the USCCB, an honor for him and the local church as well as the West Coast as well as Latino peoples especially those of Mexican descent. I was most pleased to recently concelebrate a beautiful outdoor Mass at Calvary Cemetery on November 2 that coincided with my mother's 50th Anniversary of her passing over from death to life. ¡Qué viva Monseñor Gomez!