Letters

Bertie Campbell

Sullivan Manly men Editor: For many years of marriage, my husband and I had frequent arguments that were too often vicious. We went to marriage counseling, marriage retreats and 12-step programs. Though these were good and did help some, no major change in us lasted long. Then we started going to confession to a priest who is a man of faith, prayer, self-discipline, love and guts who is a strict father to us. Though my husband and I still sometimes argue, we do it a lot less than we did before and we do a lot less damage in our arguments, if any. The authority that a priest receives through ordination, prayer and self-discipline changes the lives of his spiritual children when he exercises it with wisdom and love from God. I can think of no man more manly than a good priest, except Christ whom he imitates.

Name withheld

St. Louis

Alternative loans Editor: I share the Missouri Catholic Conference's (MCC) concern regarding the high interest rates charged by so-called payday loan operations. However the proposed bills in the Missouri House and Senate would not solve the problem, and are quite likely to hurt the very people they intend to help. The problem is most payday loan patrons have personal or financial situations that, in general, make credit cards, and other traditional sources of short-term loans, unavailable. It is highly unlikely that the industry will continue to lend money to these patrons if they are prohibited from charging interest rates in excess of prevailing market rates. What happens then? They will either be unable to obtain their short-term loans, or will be forced to turn to illegal sources. A much more effective way for the Catholic community to deal with this issue would be for us to provide sound, legal alternatives to the payday loan industry. If short-term loans to these patrons, at prevailing market rates, are financially justified, then parish communities should be encouraged to take up the cause and make such loans. Alternatively, perhaps an archdiocesan credit union could fill this role. We can be forgiven for wishfully hoping that the industry would respond to such a law by simply continuing business as usual. But this market, like any other, is governed by the laws of supply, demand and price. If we fail to recognize this and don't provide an alternative, we will end up hurting the people we want to help.

Timothy S. Sullivan

Department of Economics and Finance

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Much meaning Editor: Just a brief note to say thanks to all the dedicated priests and religious who have spent many years working for the Church and helping others. The news media have taken the actions of a few and made them the actions of all. Shame on the news media that continue to want to make the news and not tell the story as it is. I personally want to thank all of those religious who have given so much meaning to my life.

Edith Tierney

St. Louis New hope Editor: Our Church is seeing the body of Christ here on earth suffer the crucifixion for the sins of men. This is not new, it has happened before and will happen again. Remember Jesus chose Peter to be the head of his Church, the one who denied him three times, He knew this would not destroy the faith of his Church but through his grace make it strong. The Catholic Church will not be destroyed by the recent scandal but with God's grace, like Easter, it will begin anew, it will grow and be stronger for the suffering it has endured. Happy Easter to all, a season of new hope.

Name withheld