Letters to the Editors

Don't let scandal hurt good works of the church

We would appreciate an opportunity to comment on Mark Shields' article, Reminder about the Catholic Church, which appeared on June 3. Although the article focused on his advice to our bishops as a caring Catholic, he went on to expand upon a very important point that has, all too often, gone unnoticed and unreported in the media: the enormous good that the Catholic Church does through its advocacy, its schools and programs to help the poor and less fortunate among us.

Similar to what Shields reported for his home diocese of Washington, our very own diocese touches thousands of lives every day through its schools and its health/social service ministries. Our organization, Catholic Charities, is one of those ministries inspired and supported by the Catholic Church over 50 years ago in the Tampa Bay area.

Every year, we serve more than 12,000 persons of all faiths in our five-county area who are in need of counseling, adoption services, elder care, affordable housing, immigration services, health care and foster homes. We serve the poor, the homeless, the neglected and the disenfranchised. And, we are but one of the many Catholic ministries serving the Tampa Bay area as an expression of our faith.

The point that Shields made so well was that there is a second very real crisis facing us today in addition to the one of faith. It is the crisis created by decreased donations and financial support that make these vital human services possible. It would be tragic if the anger and resentment felt by some were to be misdirected at the poorest and most vulnerable among us.
-- Arnold Andrews, executive director, Catholic Charities, Diocese of St. Petersburg, Inc., St. Petersburg

Zero tolerance should go without saying

Re: Remove every abuser, editorial, June 7.

For me, as a Catholic, these are troubling times. The revelations of sex by some priests with children or with other men were disturbing. Like an index finger to the closed lips, the "don't tell anyone" attitude of some bishops and, unbelievably, some cardinals was disgraceful. The descendants of Peter, the rock upon which the church is built, are expected to behave like rocks.

The day has now arrived when even editors, like those of the Times, are telling the bishops the proposal for their Dallas meeting is wrong and suggesting what is right. It is embarrassing that the church leaders have exposed themselves to criticism, but, the editors are right. It is incomprehensible to me that the bishops might "give a pass to clerics "who have not committed more than one act of sexual abuse of a minor' in the past."

That's preposterous. Sexual abuse is not only a crime but more to the point, a mortal sin of such ugly perversity that it should never be committed during the beautiful, holy life of a priest. No man who commits or has committed acts of homosexuality or pedophilia belongs in the priesthood. Period. There should be no need to say "zero tolerance." To be "a priest forever" means a man must be a "priest always," or with every breath he takes.

The Catholic Church, the church of my faith that has been my safe harbor when the seas got rough in my life, will certainly weather this storm. After telling Peter he was the "rock" upon which "I will build my church," Christ then said, "and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
-- Jack Bray, Dunedin

No more children should suffer

I wore black and white for many years. While many ethical issues today do admit of shades of gray -- sexual crimes against children are morally as black and white as a Roman collar.

I know many of my brother priests who are still active in the ministry share my convictions on this painful issue that the church is now confronting. But, I confess, there isn't a brain cell in my head that can begin to understand why certain bishops in this nation would even consider permitting a man to remain a priest who they know has victimized a child or teenager. This trial balloon policy of zero (+1) tolerance is nothing more than criminal negligence blessed as national policy.

Who, in their right mind, would risk a schism in the church by proposing a policy that knowingly keeps adults in positions of leadership who only molest one kid? Those bishops who oppose a healthy policy of "once is enough" are still in denial that this is a predatory disease wherein "once is never enough." If we don't get it by now, will it take "losing it" (our people and our mandate) before we "get it?" Past, present or future: Priests who abuse kids must be removed.

Is not the innocence of little children and teenagers alike worth unequivocal protection? The church eloquently teaches that society is only as good as the protection it affords its most helpless members. That eloquence now applies to the church itself. If, after journeying through this scandal-hell, we have still not learned of heaven's demands, then how can we articulate a credible membership in God's holy cause? How?

The argument I am now hearing is that the church should forgive these errant priests -- as long as they are not "serial offenders." Doesn't that mean that the price of that magnanimous act of forgiveness will be paid by innocent children subsequently violated? Who in God's name (literally) has the right to make little ones pay such a price?

It's bad enough that portions of the church did not manifest the institutional humility and face its unhealthy behavior at the structural level. It's another thing to remain unhealthy when every corner of modern society is yelling, "Wake up!" The Catholic Church is better than this!

I know there are legions of great priests and bishops that serve this noble church. But good intentions and "differences of opinion" notwithstanding, I earnestly hope and pray that my church slams its collective fist down on this issue and unequivocally pledges: No more will we tolerate this disease among us.

The tears of one child are enough. I beg my church: Please do not tolerate any more.
Robert F. Stephens, St. Petersburg

A message damaging to the church

Re: Cardinal of Honduras offers distorted view of Catholic Church's crisis, by E.J Dionne, June 11.

Never have I read a message more damaging to the Catholic Church, the laity and reputable priests than that expressed by Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Honduras. It states unequivocally that the reputation of the hierarchy and erring priests supersedes all other considerations.

Irrevocable harm to a young child is placed on the same level as that of a scraped knee.

I have been a practicing Catholic for eight decades!!
-- Miriam P. O'Laughlin, Seminole

A zero-tolerance commandment

The Signe Wilkinson editorial cartoon ("Jesus seems to have had zero tolerance for zero tolerance," June 8) gives me a perfect lead-in as I begin a summer sermon series on the Ten Commandments.

Even the mere suggestion that Jesus taught there are times when one may overlook pedophilia is repulsive, as the one priest appears to be saying to the other.

Thou shalt not commit adultery is a zero tolerance commandment against all forms of sexual impurity. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminded us that he did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it. Then he added, "You have heard . . . thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."

The tolerance Our Lord offered was for the repentant sinner who calls unto God for mercy and salvation through the cross of Christ. However, the just consequences of unlawful behavior must still be faced.
-- Dr. Morris McDonald, pastor, Suncoast Bible Presbyterian Church, Palm Harbor

Different treatment

The media have been extremely critical of the Catholic Church for not protecting young boys from priests who are pedophiles or homosexuals. The media have been extremely critical of the Boy Scouts of America for protecting young boys from scout leaders who are pedophiles or homosexuals. Perhaps the all-knowing editorial board can explain why these two institutions are treated so differently.
-- Jack Vanderbleek, St. Petersburg

Window rules lack sense

Re: Shedding light on new window rules, by Judy Stark, June 8.

I would like to see an investigative reporter dig into this new code. It is going to have an adverse effect on many homeowners in this city, county and state.

Many homes in this area are in the $50,000 to $100,000 range. The new code calls for replacement windows and doors that far exceed in quality what are in the existing homes.

A homeowner who needs to replace an unrepairable window or door is going to be overwhelmed by the cost. All he really needs is a replacement that is similar to the rest of the windows or doors in his home. Its purpose, of course, is to keep out the rain and mosquitoes and keep the air-conditioning in. The homeowner is not too concerned about high impact, etc.

People on fixed retirement incomes are going to be shocked at the cost of high-impact replacements. It will also cause the local government to be unable to upgrade housing for low-income residents as the cost will far outstrip what is budgeted for this work.

Let us dig into this and see if common sense can prevail.
-- Lloyd W. Davis, St. Petersburg

NOW has done much to help women

Re: Promise Keepers protest is bizarre, letter, June 6.

I can't believe that you allow people to post such inaccurate, opinionated representations of the National Organization for Women. This organization has done much to advance women's rights and causes since 1966. It's obvious to me that the letter writer sees NOW as merely a man-hating organization, hell-bent on making "good Christian women" leave their husbands. NOW's official statement of purpose is: "to take action to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society now, exercising all privileges and responsibilities thereof in truly equal partnership with men." I see nothing in this statement to imply that NOW members hate good Christian men.

I think perhaps the letter writer should educate herself about the organization before making such statements in the local newspaper. She knows nothing about this organization's "philosophies." Its members are neither "bitter" nor "miserable." They've done a lot to help all women in this country, including the letter writer.
-- Tracy L. Caraker, Pinellas Park

The SUV image

The June 11 Michael Ramirez cartoon showing the SUV gas hog has it all wrong.

Instead of being on the highway, the SUV should be pictured idling in front of a grocery store in a fire lane with one person on a cell phone in it.
-- Dwight Huff, Seminole

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