Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
May 29, 2002
Letters
Support bishops, priests
I was distressed to read the letter from Rochelle Obechina in the May 15 Register. Apparently she believes that the hierarchy somehow deliberately exposed children to predators and are guilty of crimes. She wants Cardinal Law to face criminal charges for these so-called crimes.
Clerical abuse, while horrible, is clearly not a widespread problem, since all data indicates that less than 2 percent of priests are sexual abusers. In the 1970s and 1980s, psychologists believed they could "cure" sexual abusers. All the hierarchy did wrong was to believe the priests were no longer a threat. Once these men were proven to be habitual abusers, they should have been removed, and many were. Mistakes were made, but I cannot accept the conclusion that the hierarchy deliberately protected them and put youngsters at risk.
To refuse to give to the Church because of this scandal is not only wrong-headed but a violation of one of the precepts of the Church. As the Holy Father said, now is the time to support our priests and bishops in prayer. If anyone chooses to abandon them and the Church now, they are not doing their duty as Catholic Christians.
Mark W. Nelson
Centennial Defeat evil
In regard to two letters in the May 15 DCR ("First Communion a circus" and "Fire Cardinal Law, bad priests"): Although I share the anger and frustration of both writers with Eucharistic irreverence and the sexual abuse crisis, I am dismayed at their self-defeating reactions. Both react by refusing to participate in the Mass (one with first holy Communion Mass in particular, the other with any Mass in general) and one also plans to "pass up the collection plate."
I believe one of the reasons evil exists is so that it can be defeated and a greater good can be drawn out of it. If you doubt it, take another look at a crucifix. These crises have grabbed our attention and are opportunities for us to draw out a greater good, to learn and teach about what it means to be Church, the meaning of stewardship, the role of priests and laity, the meaning of celibacy, the meaning of the Eucharist and many other lessons.
It's a call to revitalize our Church and for adult Catholics such as myself to grow beyond a child-level Catholic education.
A greater good cannot be drawn out of these crises by withdrawing, or by hoping someone else or "the hierarchy" handles them. First communicants won't know the reverence appropriate to the Eucharist if those who do only attend other Masses. A body cannot grow stronger by denying it the sustenance it needs. The same is true with our body, the Church.
John Elfering
Thornton Celibacy
I appreciated reading George Weigel's enlightening article "What celibacy is, and isn't" in the May 8 Register. It helped me to understand celibacy's historical roots and its significance. I might add my own comments as a layman.
I feel that the Holy Spirit led the Church Fathers to institute celibacy also for this reason: the Church used to go through many turbulent years of persecution and at these times the celibate priests could be more willing to become martyrs than the married people whose decisions were influenced by concern for their families. This was proven by the recent history of Nazism and communism in Europe. The jailed Catholic priests were considered by the communists as the most stubborn prisoners who had to be kept in isolation from the other prisoners so as not to inspire them through their faith.
A tragic but beautiful example was offered by modern Polish saint Father Kolby. This celibate priest ransomed with his own life that of a fellow prisoner — the father of several children — in a Nazi concentration camp. If he had his own family could he master courage for this sacrifice? How could his own children and his wife accept his noble deed? One family's happiness could not be bought with another's tragedy.Karel KrizBoulderKeep the faith Much has already been said regarding the sex scandal that has engulfed the Catholic Church and, no doubt, more will be said in the future. However, as a member of the same faith, I am compelled to speak out in defense of my faith. It is true that the behavior of several priests is abhorrent and not in keeping with the requirements and teachings of the Church, but not all priests conducted themselves in a way that brought disrepute to the Catholic faith. To the contrary, most Catholic clergy have lived up to their holy orders and have striven to live out their lives as Jesus Christ would want them to. To those Catholics who are wavering in their loyalty to the faith: you are reminded that your loyalty is to Jesus Christ, who established the Catholic Church. In support of this, I quote Matthew 16:18-20, wherein Christ states: "And I say to thee, thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever thou shalt bound on earth, shall be bound in heaven, and whatever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Let justice be done, but never forsake your faith under any circumstances. Albert L. MaiseNorthglenn.
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