Letters to the Editor

Conscience rights

In his two classic biographies of Blessed John Paul II ("Witness to Hope" and "The End and the Beginning: Pope John Paul II -- The Victory of Freedom, the Last Years, the Legacy"), George Weigel depicted how the pope, who lived under communism, understood the importance of religious freedom. His efforts in restoring religious freedom were what turned the tide against the Eastern European communist regimes. For if religious freedom did not exist, neither did other basic freedoms.

12 days of Christmas

Regrettably, Christmas trees have been popping up curbside since Dec. 26. Having endured commercial holiday sights/sounds since early November, it's understandable that folks are ready for change. Still, many Catholic households (and beyond), keep trees and decorations for the full 12 days to Epiphany Jan. 8 (and even till the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Jan. 9).

Elderly deserve more

Where charity begins

Is the purpose of your editorial ("The good and bad in U.S. immigration laws," Nov. 4) to remind all legal American citizens that it is "right" and "just" to see their tax dollars support the education of children whose parents deliberately broke the law? Sure, successful illegal alien children should have the right to try for scholarships and loans as long as their education is not being supported by tax dollars.

Intrinsic evils

The Oct. 7 edition contained two very interesting articles.

One was the USCCB (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops) launching a new website for "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizens," listing problems involving opposition to intrinsic evils. Abortion and threats to the lives and dignity of others who are vulnerable were the first listed. The article does not tell Catholics whom to vote for, but the U.S. bishops have stated that this kind of political responsibility is a requirement of our faith.

Remembering 9/11

The editorial, "Ten years later: We remember" (Sept 9, 2011) was thoughtful, with its emphasis on how the 9/11 victims are "bound together with us" because we are all image of God and its call to remember "in forgiveness and mercy" rather than "hatred or malevolence." Saying "beyond our borders, untold millions the world over remember with us" echoed the Sept. 12, 2001, headline in Le Monde that read, "We are all Americans."