VCC consistently addresses gun violence
The article “Prayers continue for an end to gun violence” (Catholic Virginian, June 27) included this statement from Deacon Chris Barrett: “I’m grateful for the work of the VCC (Virginia Catholic Conference), but they do not address gun violence, and they need to.” That statement is inaccurate.
VCC has supported state legislation to require background checks for firearm purchases for more than a decade, and thankfully this legislation was enacted by the Virginia General Assembly in 2020. The same year, the General Assembly also enacted a red flag bill, which we also supported.
We have repeatedly opposed measures – proposed numerous times in various forms – to remove current restrictions against firearms and other weapons on church and school property. We have successfully defended these restrictions and stand ready to continue doing so.
We are grateful to each person whose advocacy has helped ensure these outcomes, and to each person who took action on a recent U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ alert which we circulated and which addressed similar topics at the federal level. We will continue to explore future opportunities to advance sensible and urgently needed policies to address the tragic issue of gun violence.
We encourage everyone to join the VCC advocacy network (visit www. vacatholic.org and click “Join us!”) to receive alerts and updates on state and federal issues impacting life, dignity and the common good. – Jeff Caruso, Executive Director, Virginia Catholic Conference
Marriage preparation should not be lengthened
I strongly advise against Pope Francis’ suggestion that marriage preparation be lengthened to a yearlong catechumenate, especially adding a mandated rite of engagement (“Vatican suggests lengthier, revamped marriage prep,” Catholic Virginian, June 27).
Prolonging Roman Catholic preparation for the sacrament of marriage might increase the quality of catechesis for the couples who complete it, but it will greatly decrease the number of couples who seek a Catholic wedding. Adding to the rigor of preparation will unnecessarily delay the marriage of two well catechized young people (those mostly likely to obediently submit to the requirement), while chasing away others who will seek a civil or Christian marriage from another source.
Having a public rite of engagement will force young couples to begin their reflections of marriage in pre-Cana without the privacy and freedom to quietly end the engagement should they discover irreconcilable differences while working through the material.
There is no right age to marry, nor is there a right length of marriage preparation to ensure a marriage will last. The best indication a marriage will last is two young people who believe marriage is a lifetime commitment and are determined to persevere together. If they do not come to the altar with that fire of conviction, maybe priests should simply refuse to be a part of their marriage ceremony. – Jessica Drake, Suffolk
Marriage preparation should apply KISS principle
I was confused by the article “Vatican suggests lengthier, revamped marriage prep” (Catholic Virginian, June 27). All members of my family, along with yours truly, found the article to be complicated, contradictory and a likely turn-off to newly engaged couples!
As to its complicated nature, consider its Flesch Reading Ease score of 28. Newspapers and the like seek a score of 70; this to better assure its readability. A complimentary “education level” assessment of this article indicates that a reader needs a 17th grade level education to readily understand it.
Although there are numerous examples of its contradictory nature, consider its title: “Vatican suggests lengthier, revamped marriage prep.” Just six paragraphs into it one reads the following: “The document is not a marriage preparation course.” If this document — “Catechumenal Itineraries for a Married Life” — is not a marriage preparation course, then what is it?
My final concern circles back to complexity. Do we really think that a yearlong program covering a mishmash of topics is appropriate for starting a marriage? Worse yet, it suggests bringing in multiple parties from outside the marriage. How will their qualifications be measured? There are other pitfalls in this approach but let’s look at just two.
First, does the Church really believe that in a world of tweets, TikTok, texting and so forth that it can sustain the interest of its target audience for an entire year?
Second, consider the acronym KISS — “keep it simple, silly.” I fail to understand how “Catechumenal Itineraries for a Married Life,” as described, comes anywhere close to embracing KISS. – Steve Stafford, Radford
Two SCOTUS decisions are beginnings, not endpoints
Some on the left want us to think that the recent two pivotal cases decided by the Supreme Court are hypocritical. One restored rights for gun usage in New York, the other walked back the baseless “authority” of the Roe decision to claim a right to abortion.
In both our faith and our Constitution, self-defense and the dignity of the human person are essential and must be upheld. Neither decision is an endpoint, but rather a beginning in reinforcing the Godly society that we must continue to build up. – Philip Cathell, Chincoteague
Do what is good for the community
In her “Disagree with Cardinal Cupich” letter to the editor (Catholic Virginian, June 13), Beverly Trent notes that after 9/11 we did not throw away airplanes but enacted new security measures. Her point is exactly the defense of why we need more security with guns.
We learned from 9/11 that planes do not kill people but people use planes to kill people. We now have to take our shoes and belts off, not carry liquids and go through scanners to make sure that people do not use planes to kill people. It is refreshing to see that during that process I have never heard anyone crying, “You are violating my rights.” We all comply because while it may be inconvenient, it is for the good of all.
Guns do not kill people, but we all know that people use guns to kill people or themselves at an alarming rate in our country. We are not asking for guns to be taken away from people, however, we are calling for new security measures to be drafted to ensure greater safety for people purchasing guns.
We know that other countries that have enacted these measures have seen a drop in suicides, domestic violence deaths and gun violence. People argue that people can kill with a rock, knife, etc., but honestly, I would rather try to survive an attack by a knife or rock than a semiautomatic gun that can shoot three shots per second.
Hopefully, we as a nation can embrace gun security measures the same way we have embraced airplane security measures, in the spirit of doing what is good for the overall community. – Ellen Williams, Carrollton
Let faith be your guide when voting
The presidency of President Trump, opposed covertly and overtly by all Democrats, many Republicans, and members of our Catholic hierarchy, has borne fruit for the Church regarding life. To Trump alone goes the credit for placing three constitutionalist, pro-life judges on the U.S. Supreme Court: Catholics Coney Barrett and Kavanaugh, and raised-Catholic Gorsuch. These three joined in voting to overturn Roe v. Wade in the 6-3 majority Dobbs v. Jackson decision.
A single businessman true to his campaign promises, not any previous career politicians with empty words, righted the court, which will ultimately save untold babies’ lives. The stark differences between Catholic Joseph Biden and much-maligned Donald Trump can no longer be swept under the rug by the mass media. All Americans are experiencing the differences.
Our country, since January 2021, is in a quick downfall regarding energy policy, government-sanctioned sexual deviancy, international diplomacy, open borders and illegal immigration, and religious freedom, to name only some.
Elections do have consequences. Catholics must obtain their news from more truthful sources than the mainstream media and cast their votes accordingly to improve the lot of all people in the City of Man, guided by the teachings of their faith. – John D. Stec, Covington