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Denver Catholic Register

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Catholic Pastoral Center

August 7, 2002

 

Letters

• St. Francis active in archdiocese

  I couldn't agree more with the letter by Rita Kelley (July 10 Register) regarding the building up of the Church by Franciscans.

  Another positive influence for the Church today is Franciscan University, a place where the faith taught to young Catholic students is faithful to Church teaching, and where the students learn to love and openly profess their Catholic faith and morals. It is quite different from other universities where dissent from orthodox Catholic teaching is rampant and where young Catholics lose their faith rather than live it.

  An article in Crisis magazine dated June 2001 was titled "Denver: The Future of Catholicism is Here." Could it be that St. Francis is at work in this diocese? Hasn't Francis been named the patron saint of this archdiocese?

  Padre Pio, recently canonized saint of the Church, was a Capuchin Friar, also.

  In the light of recent scandals, it's a grace-filled time to be watching and participating in the building up of the Church. St. Francis is, once again, leading the way.

  Jim Stuart

  Berthoud

• Dallas convocation appalling

  Let me join Pat Boyle ("Dallas meeting dismaying" letter July 31 Register) in finding the Dallas convocation of bishops appalling. I suspect that Boyle and I are not alone, but rather that the vast majority of Catholics agree with us. It is my understanding that as many as 40 percent of American bishops and cardinals are culpable to some extent. In my opinion, this is an extraordinary circumstance, which cries out for extraordinary leadership. I don't see that leadership. I share Boyle's terrible sense of loss as to the credibility of the hierarchy.

  Emile A. Rainold

  Littleton

• Kudos on Salvadoran column

  Cheers to the Register's editorial staff for publishing Alwen Bledsoe's column, "Salvadoran martyrs among best examples of Christ." I appreciate Bledsoe's presentation of the history of U.S. involvement in the horrific reign of terror by El Salvador's military junta. Guided by self-interest, U.S. foreign policy is based on a mentality of suspicion, retaliation and militarism: a mentality that is antithetical to Christian ethical values such as justice, forgiveness and hope.

  Bledsoe's article intimates the duty of Catholics to expose the U.S. government's perpetuation of evil, and to publicly and vehemently denounce its violent and oppressive policies. The recent allocation of an additional $2.1 billion in foreign military financing to Israel demonstrates that, unfortunately, the United States has not learned from its historic complicity in the violence and bloodshed of which Bledsoe writes.

  Marie Marchand

  Denver

• Vote pro-life

  Primary time in Colorado is Aug. 13, so please turn out for pro-life candidates. In the general elections on Nov. 5 we will vote in a critical Senate race (important judiciary appointments are at stake). Also on the ballot: we will vote on whether to dismantle the caucus system, which is one of our strongest pro-life political assets.

  We Catholic lay people are very much to blame for the ground we keep losing in the pro-life political arena despite survey after survey demonstrating that the nation as a whole is more than 60 percent pro-life. My suggestion is that we roll up our sleeves and get involved. We Catholics, acting as one body, could determine the results of several different primaries throughout Denver and we probably will determine the Senate and governor's races, as well. It is within our power to do this and it is in accord with our faith to vote pro-life, so what are we waiting for? Here are some pro-life politics tips: •Check who backs the candidate and recognizes pro-life organizations. One of the best is "Citizens for Responsible Government," a strong, local group that is tireless in its efforts to support pro-life politicians and to let us know who is pro-life. •Get a candidate to define what he or she means by pro-life. Check their records. The Internet or their opponents are often good sources. Ask for published information. •When in doubt call Pat Miller of Citizens for Responsible Government and ask. She will give you what information they have. Telephone: 303-666-8233. E-mail: CoCRG4life@cs.com. Jessica Jones-CarsonE-mail

 

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