Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center

July 31, 2002

 

Letters

I am a 78-year-old born and bred Catholic: Catholic grade and high school. The bishop's meeting in Dallas was the most appalling event that I can ever remember. At no time during the meeting was the culpability of the bishops and archbishops addressed.

Agreed, the priests who perpetrated such heinous crimes should be prosecuted just as any other child molester would be. However, the bishops who aided and abetted those who committed those crimes should be prosecuted as well. Their arrogance and use of power in this regard has brought about a terrible sense of loss as to the credibility of the hierarchy.

The bishops have not destroyed my faith in God — I interiorized that years ago — but they have made me look askance at them and their fellow priests, which is a terrible disservice to those who should be able to look on them as shepherds.

Pat Boyle

Wheat Ridge

George Weigel's column in the July 24 Denver Catholic Register was both humorous and disturbing. He related the negative reactions of liberal Catholics over the appointment of Bishop Timothy Dolan as archbishop-elect of Milwaukee. Bishop Dolan's comment about wanting to meet the "meat and potato Catholics" in his new archdiocese apparently set the liberals off.

Some thoughts came to me. You know, Jesus hung out with the worst of the worst in his society — fisherman, lepers, prostitutes, and tax collectors — he never was one to pal around with sophisticates. He fed the poor with loaves and fishes, not brie and chardonnay

My father died when I was 10. My mother, grandmother and I lost everything, even our home. But we had our "meat and potato" Catholic faith, a gift greater than anything we could ever have wished for. We were helped by "meat and potato Catholics." We struggled but we survived. Our "meat and potato" Catholicism saw us through.

There are millions of people struggling today — homeless people, people with AIDS, hungry people — the very kind of people Jesus hung out with. They need help and "meat and potato Catholics" provide help through Catholic Charities, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Knights of Columbus, religious orders, missionary societies and so on. "Meat and potato Catholics" give their time, their treasure and their prayers — so many prayers — in their effort to end poverty, racism and disease.

I thank God that I can call myself a "meat and potato" Catholic. I thank Jesus for giving the world this Church. The millions who have been helped by Holy Mother Church, who have found comfort in her arms over the last 2,000 years know her and love her. So, I say to Bishop Dolan as you face the challenges ahead: "God speed you in your mission. Look to those `meat and potato Catholics.' They are good people. They will be there to help. Lastly, know that you will always be in my prayers."

Harry F. Kempke

Denver

As a Catholic parishioner of Spirit of Christ in Arvada, my memories are recently of a wonderful former priest who was caught stealing money in our parish. Not only was he removed from our church, but he was also sent to jail because of his improprieties.

Watching all of the recent scandal brings sadness to my heart knowing that we took broad steps to remove a priest who steals money but the bishops won't do the same for a pedophile priest.

Where are our priorities as Catholics? Have we reached the point where money means more than a child's safety?

J. J. Neuhalfen

Thornton

This year, the Sinsinawa Dominicans are taking a corporate stance against the death penalty. Through this stance, the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation publicly calls for an end to the death penalty in the United States.

We believe the death penalty contributes to the escalating atmosphere of violence in our society and undermines the belief in the inherent worth and dignity of human life.

The Sinsinawa Dominicans have many sisters living and ministering in Colorado. The sisters join U.S. Catholic Bishops in calling for an end to the death penalty in Colorado.

The Sinsinawa Dominican Corporate Stance Against the Death Penalty states: "We, the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, Wis., oppose the use of the death penalty in the United States. We believe in the dignity of human life and in the merciful and forgiving God who opens the way for redemption, conversion and growth."

To learn more about the Sinsinawa Dominicans, visit their Web site at www.sinsinawa.org.

Sister Reg McKillip, O.P.

S.D.C. promoter of peace and justice

Sinsinawa, Wis.

 

 


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