Respect all life
Editor:
The preciousness of human life has been brought to the minds of most Americans after the recent slaughter of so many of our citizens on Sept. 11, 2001. We mourn all the victims of these heinous attacks - the airline passengers and crews, those in and near the World Trade Center Towers, those in the Pentagon, as well as the brave police officers and firefighters.
On Sunday, Oct. 7, Catholics celebrate Respect Life Sunday. This is a good opportunity for all of us to remember, as well, the often forgotten American victims of Roe vs. Wade - the unwanted children who were aborted, the suffering mothers who live with the knowledge of what they allowed to happen to their child, the other relatives who grieve the loss of an unborn family member, as well as the abortion providers who cannot see that what they do is evil.
As we pray for all the victims of Sept. 11, 2001, let us not forget to pray for the victims of the tragic Supreme Court ruling of Jan. 22, 1973, because all life is precious.
Theresa A. Mayer
St. Louis
Shocking
Editor:
Feeling numb from the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, and believing yourself to be almost shock proof, something comes along that does.
Planned Parenthood of New York wished to extend their sympathy to all who suffered a loss in the tragic events. In response to this tragedy Planned Parenthood offered free reproductive health services, including abortion to women who might have been displaced or find themselves in need.
During a time when we saw firefighters, police officers, clergy, and ordinary men and women give their life for others, Planned Parenthood's response is the further destruction of innocent life.
May God have mercy on us.
Mildred Tichacek
St. Louis
Freedom's victory
Editor:
The irony of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks is that the intended purpose of destroying freedom has had the opposite effect. We have seen people of all faiths unite with tremendous fervor in faith and in their commitment to the freedoms that made this country great.
Even if this country would never engage an attack on the terrorists, we have already defeated the enemy by virtue of our response to the attack. We have already thwarted their intended purpose.
I thank God that President Bush has not made a rush to judgment. I trust that his administration will investigate these attacks thoroughly, will discover the parties responsible, and will do justice. Justice begets peace! God bless America!
Gerard Nieters
O'Fallon
Right time
Editor:
When I went to Catholic grade school, we were so blessed that we attended Mass daily and also had benediction on Fridays 30 minutes before school was out. We were trained that our prayers and intercessions went out to the world. I wonder if this might be the right time for a return to these devotions and prayers?
Rebecca Leonard
Hillsboro
Muslim neighbors
Editor:
As we stand together in our patriotism, refusing to let anyone take away from us our freedom - our civil liberties - let us keep in our continual prayers our Muslim neighbors who now live under scrutiny because of their complexion, their dress or because of their family name. With over 10,000 Muslim neighbors living peacefully within the boundaries of our archdiocese and reverently worshipping our God of love, it is no small incident if our neighbors of Middle Eastern descent become disenfranchised as a backlash of Sept. 11.
Let us continue to pray for and continue to "love our neighbors as ourselves." Let us not assume that this is "a given" but state and restate support for our Muslim neighbors in our daily conversations because even if only one of our neighbors had been threatened or hurt because of their beliefs, all of us - of all faiths - are hurt.
Liz Morrison
St. Louis
Assault on souls
Editor:
It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter to address the subject of the picture that appeared on the front page of your News Plus section (Sept. 21).
The tragedy in New York was undoubtedly the worst this nation has ever witnessed. However, the body of Father Mychal Judge being carried out by rescue workers was an assault on all human souls. We all can imagine the horror that took place and the daily trials that not only the rescue workers but all New Yorkers must witness, but to take Father Judge's dignity in such a way was heartbreaking to my entire family.
In the future perhaps reconsider showing a lifeless body in our Catholic newspaper. Yes, it was a tragedy, and yes, he was a noble man who gave his life ministering to the needs of the dying, but please leave these kind of scenes to our imaginations. This is a family newspaper and therefore available to all ages. Thank you for the wonderful job that all of you do in giving Catholics the information and guidance that we all need to conduct our daily lives.
Donna Boedeker
Elsberry
Reverent
Editor:
Thank you for the extraordinarily moving photo in your Sept. 21 edition. The "September 11 Pieta" brought to mind the powerful image of Christ taken down from the cross and laid in Mary's arms. Franciscan Father Mychal Judge was, indeed, a Christ figure (among many other firefighters, police, and rescuers who also gave their lives trying to save others), and it was a reverent portrayal.
Bert McNiff
St. Louis
Letters to the editor
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