Letters • June 14, 2021

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Guest commentary was badly needed reminder

The guest commentary by Richard Doerflinger (Catholic Virginian, May 17) about the agenda of the “right to die” advocates was a badly needed reminder that right to life issues involve more than the abortion battle.

Those advocating medical suicide-assistance and even medical “mercy killing” (not always voluntary) also pose threats to our human life, valuable all the way from conception to natural death.

Those who want to be kept abreast of news on the end-of-life front might like to know about the Patients Rights Council, PO Box 760, Steubenville, OH 43952; phone 740-282-3810; http:// www.patientsrightscouncil.org.

Among other materials, they have draft forms for advance directives more pro-life in orientation than those offered by most hospitals. – Fletcher Bingham, Bridgewater

Abortion, euthanasia top ‘grave matters’ list

Re: “Vatican advises U.S. bishops on handling difficult matter” (Catholic Virginian, May 17): Looks like more gibberish to defend the right of pro-choice supposedly “Catholic” politicians to publicly present themselves for holy Communion. What a travesty!

In a letter to Archbishop Jose Gomez, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Luis Ladaria, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, clearly stated that dialogue must occur in two stages. First among the U.S. bishops, and then among the bishops and the prochoice politicians within their jurisdictions.

The letter stated that it would be “misleading” to present abortion and euthanasia as the only grave matters of Catholic teaching that demand the fullest level of accountability on the part of Catholics.

I would argue that abortion and euthanasia are indeed at the top of the “grave matters” list because they are the taking of a God-given human life — what could be more grave?

In a 2004 statement titled “Catholics and Political Life,” the USCCB wrote in part:

“The Eucharist is the source and summit of Catholic life. Therefore, like every Catholic generation before us, we must be guided by the words of St. Paul, ‘Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the Body and Blood of the Lord’ (1 Cor 11:27). This means that all must examine their consciences as to their worthiness to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord. This examination includes fidelity to the moral teaching of the Church in personal and public life.” – Ted Cors, Williamsburg

Act upon pastoral letter on racism

In “Racial Justice and the Catholic Church,” Father Bryan N. Massingale states, “American Catholic Social Teaching on race suffers from a lack of passion. As a corporate body and as individuals, Catholics espouse a number of beliefs, but not all of these are held passionately. For example, no one can doubt the passion with which the Catholic Church opposes abortion.”

This passion is demonstrated in the May 31, 2021, edition of The Catholic Virginian with a front-page article and five letters to the editor devoted to abortion. I pray for the day when other pro-life issues, including racism, generate the same passion.

Father Massingale also notes, “despite the bold words of ‘Brothers and Sisters to Us’ (the USCCB pastoral letter on racism which preceded ‘Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love,’ which was issued in November 2018), we must conclude that racial justice is not now – and never has been – a passionate matter for most American Catholics.”

How can we address this lack of passion? “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love — A Pastoral Letter Against Racism” provides several recommendations. As parishes return to normal, this document needs to be studied and acted upon.

Catholics should also read Father Massingale’s book to better understand the sad history of racism in our Church. DREs should consider offering JustFaith Ministries modules on racial equity.

Only by forming and informing ourselves can we become agents for change in this important area. – Jimmy Culpepper, Chesapeake

More global Church coverage needed

It was so mind expanding to read “Myanmar cardinal calls for peace after church bombing” (Catholic Virginian, May 31).

Although diocesan events are important to know about, our connection in the Body of Christ to our brothers and sisters in many parts of the world where they struggle should be included in The Catholic Virginian more often. These types of articles could help us be more mindful in our thoughts and prayers that we belong to a global Church and need to remember one another all over the world.

An example of this inclusive awareness was mentioned in that same publication in the wonderful article about Msgr. Michael Schmied in which he said, “I had become increasingly aware and concerned about what was going on in Central America.”

The Catholic Virginian could be a tool to promote, in all of us in the Diocese of Richmond, a more expansive concern for the struggles and needs of our community on all continents. – Maureen Marroni, Norfolk

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