Editor:
Father Gregorio ‘s excellent column of June 26 (“Mistakes were made, and sometimes admitted”) was a reminder that there were many of our clergy opposed to the deeply immoral Iraq war in keeping with the Vatican ‘s position in spite of the unfortunate number supporting Bush ‘s agenda.
The abortion issue is a wedge issue. The President ‘s position is neither here nor there. He is sworn to uphold the Constitution which the Supreme Court found to guarantee abortion rights.
Denouncing the bishops and clergy that, in spite of their opposition to abortion, respect the separation of church and state is absurd. Calling the President of the United States an abortionist is preposterous and offensive.
Mary Healy
Turnersville
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Editor:
There are many Catholics who are not apologizing for their choice in last year ‘s election. I ‘m one of them. I enthusiastically and with a clear conscience voted for the Obama-Biden ticket. That does not make me pro-abortion. It means I am also opposed to war, torture, racism, destruction of the environment and greed. As Father Gregorio so succinctly put it, “Greed, the great American vice, got us here” (6/12/09).
Mary Kennedy
Franklinville
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Editor:
Father Gregorio presents a view in line with church teaching, the pope, and the Bible. He seeks to bring to light things that touch our Lord ‘s heart – on behalf of the poor, the greedy who must be freed from bondage, the immigrant, the least of these that our Lord asks us to care for. “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” (Mt. 25:34-36.
I praise the Lord his views are published.
I would like to gently respond to those who say he espouses a “left” view. Catholics worldwide have views similar to his on Justice, but they are not grilled on their politics since they can ‘t vote here. And we do not know who he voted for.
I submit that the Republican and pro-Life movements, without wavering on abortion, would do well to promote views of Father Gregorio ‘s such as service in communities and poor areas — and Pope Benedict ‘s “world peace” and “compassionate economics.” “Love of neighbor” ingratiates voters, which may then elect more Pro-Life politicians to Congress to write laws on issues such as Sanctity of Life. Not all articles in this paper address abortion. Our Lord calls us to bring to light all issues that darken our spirits and infuse them with his Justice and Mercy.
Candice Block Lombardi
Pennsauken
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