Letters to the Editor

I loved the April 23 issue: the reflections of Archbishop Gomez and the pope were wonderful, Fr. Rolheiser’s reflection on beauty was poignant, and Msgr Antall’s sermon about Barabbas was very powerful. The one sour note in the issue was the unsigned news brief about Fr. Hans Küng. Such a remarkable man’s death should not serve as an occasion to drag out all the criticism of him. If such editorializing must be included in our diocesan magazine, perhaps it should at least lend the name of a specific person who holds that opinion rather than leaving it unsigned — as if everyone shares this view. — Dr. Patrick Whelan, Corpus Christi Church, Pacific Palisades

Thank you for Heather King’s column in the April 23 issue of Angelus. Enough of these insipid homilies that say nothing to anyone. This column should be required reading for all homilists. Post a copy of it in all of the pulpits!  — Jorge Garcia

In response to the letter to the editor from the April 9 issue, “What ‘refugee’ crisis?”: I would like to think, as a Catholic and an America, that we as a faith community and as citizens do not restrict our charity and compassion exclusively to others who share our same beliefs.  Need knows no bounds, and neither should our mercy and care. Mother Teresa didn’t limit her care that way. Neither do Fr. Greg Boyle and Homeboy Industries. Neither was that the spirit of the Statue of Liberty.  In no case is “legality” the criteria. The imperative is compassion. Let’s meet need wherever it presents itself, if we are serious about manifesting Christ in this world. — Eric Searcy

Thank you for Greg Erlandson’s fine article on “Easter and the scandal of saving sinners.” This is a very apt reflection for this present time when it’s so common to “demonize” others. It’s good to be reminded that nobody deserves salvation. I liked especially the author's choice of words describing how we are humbled when we remember this truth: he says he is “bowed low.” I agree that I don’t think we are qualified to “affirm” who truly is or isn’t a “regenerate believer.” We don’t know for sure, even after someone has died, what transpired with their last breath, between that person’s soul and our almighty, merciful God. Isn’t that why we pray for the deceased? Thank you for recalling these thoughts to mind during Holy Week.  — Marilyn Boussaid 

I feel your news brief on Page 5 of the Feb. 26 issue, “Biden lifts historically low refugee limit,” was too political. It is important to use statistics that show the correct numbers. In the month after President Biden took office, encounters with migrants along the southern border went up 28% from the month prior, and 174% from the same time last year. It is also important to keep in mind that many of these supposed “refugees” are crossing our border illegally.  Americans have always welcomed people in desperate need. Why aren’t we helping the Christians leave Africa, where many are being killed? These are refugees. President Trump slowed the influx of migrants to get a hold on the flow. Now, in one month, the borders and aid stations are swamped.  Just because we are Catholic doesn’t mean we can’t help people legally. But what “global crisis” was Susan Gunn, director of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, referring to in the article?  — Maureen Lenicka 

The Feb. 26 cover feature “Catholic schools take the lead in reopening” celebrates Catholic schools as trailblazers, putting the needs of students and families first. The fact that some schools are opening are great, however so many more remain closed. My son attends a public school in a smaller district in LA County applied for a waiver and been able to open since November 2020. My question is why are the majority of Catholic schools waiting so long? As a former Catholic school teacher, I am familiar with the struggle many schools face with low enrollment. One school that I worked at had to close after a long struggle to stay open. Another, where I taught combined classes, was also fighting to stay afloat. With a 3rd grade class of only 7, and a 5th grade of 11, the chances to stay open were slim. Then the pandemic came. As scientists learned more regarding the virus, we heard from pediatricians and other medical professionals that students needed to return to school. Online learning was damaging to mental and psychological health. I understood why the public schools were still closed – they were beholden to large unions that played politics and placed their own interest before that of families and children. But what was never clear to me is why the archdiocese did not step up to open their schools sooner? Catholic schools, free to make their own decisions, were not under the thumb of powerful unions, and yet still remained closed. This was a fantastic chance to show the community that Catholic schools do care for the best benefit of students, obviously while still adhering to safety protocols. As we have heard from experts for months. By opening the schools, the archdiocese had a chance not only to boost enrollment, but perform an act of Christian charity for so many families desperately in need of sending their children back to school. I pray for this generation of students that have lost so much during this pandemic. Only time will tell how much damage we have caused our students. I hope the trend continues as more Catholic schools open in the Los Angeles Archdiocese. - Yadranka Draskovic