Spotlight on the Catholic Church

Re “Pope’s U.S. visit begins with remarks on abuse,” April 16

One of the first statements that the pope made on his journey to the U.S. was that he was saddened and troubled by the sexual scandal that has occurred in the church and that he will do everything in his power to see that it does not happen again. Translation: Nothing will be done if all that is suggested is for the clergy to take their celibacy vow more seriously. There is no discussion of how important sexuality is as a component of a balanced personality and its contribution to a happy life, even as it pertains to the clergy who are human, sexual beings. Conclusion: papal rhetoric and medieval mentality.

Joe Sevenliss

Corona

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Re “Benedict the diplomat,” editorial, April 15

The writer of this editorial should learn the difference between wielding the sword in defense of one’s faith and wielding the sword in evangelizing one’s faith, as Muslims have done for hundreds of years. On three occasions, in the Mediterranean, in France and at the gates of Vienna, if the Muslims had not been repulsed, most of us would be Muslims now.

Frank Myers

Downey

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The Catholic Church is back in the national spotlight with the pope’s U.S. visit. And, of course, the media are serving up a steady diet of stories about conflicted parishioners with poor attendance and other problems.

Never mind the extraordinary unity of essential doctrine that millions of us have shared around the world for thousands of years.

And I can understand the omission of any stories about the church’s vast array of social, medical and educational services that are available to everyone. After all, it would be hard to report on all of these ministries because there are quite simply too many to mention in a single newspaper or magazine.

Joseph Carducci

Pittsburgh, Pa.