Welcome everyone into Catholic faith
“In reference to “Too early to know impact of LGBT equality ruling on Church” (Catholic Virginian, June 29):
Quoting Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, president of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: “Every human person is made in the image and likeness of God, without exception, and must be treated with dignity, compassion and respect.”
Made in the image and likeness of God, we should warmly welcome all brothers and sisters and their families into our shared Catholic faith. Our faith would be stronger. Our community would be stronger. Our bonds would be stronger. – Kathleen M. Sullivan, Mechanicsville
Where is our Catholic voice?
Where is the Catholic voice of support for the citizens who are marching and speaking out for equity in our country?
When I took up The Catholic Virginian of June 29 and read the front page, I was deeply disappointed in us. Where is our Catholic support for those unfairly treated? Both accounts on that page were defensive and judgmental until their ends, which were posted on page 10. Motivating and challenging words were quietly sandwiched on page 7 in Barbara Hughes’ column “Do serious soul searching this Fourth of July.”
Credit goes to St. Therese for their prayer service witnessing outdoors and St. Gregory holding a Mass for Peace, all mentioned at the bottom of the inside cover.
Local Catholic Workers have rallied folks to hold signs on Hampton Blvd. voicing thought-provoking questions to the public who drive by.
I’m sure our diocese’s parishioners care, but where is their collective voice? I call on our diocesan leaders to make a public stand. Catholic history in this country is stained with oppressive behaviors. The chance is now to say where we stand and support rectifying the past and present inequities. – Maureen Marroni, Norfolk
Don’t censor letters
I found Monica Carley-Spencer’s demand for censorship of letters appearing in the June 15 Catholic Virginian misguided. The Catholic Virginian already has a strong editorial policy, and it works just fine.
I went back to the Oct. 7, 2019 and March 23, 2020 issues and read the submissions that so offended her because I demand the right to judge these letters for myself.
The Catholic Virginian trusts its readers. I have been a Roman Catholic for 68 years, attended parochial school, have served as a catechist and as a lector. I doubt very much anything I read in this paper is going to cause me to put on blackface or don Klan robes. Stay the course and do not give in to the passions of the day. -Jack Harris, Smithfield