Readers raise their voices against George Weigel’s ‘Rediscover the sounds of silence in church’

Editor:

I was highly insulted by the tone and implications of the article regarding Silence in the Church by George Weigel in the Feb. 12 issue. As a Catholic mother of two young children and an elementary school teacher, I believe that children need to be welcomed, encouraged, and supported while participating and attending Mass. My husband and I have taken our little ones to church from the earliest possible ages and I encourage others to do the same. In this way, children learn decorum, while also realizing that the church is a place that they, too, belong and is not a complete community without their presence.

Mr. Weigel’s assertion that parents should “use the cry room…take the squawking kids out of the body of the church… or (my favorite) consider leaving small, fractious children at home…” is rude and self-absorbed. While I agree that children need to learn respectful and quiet behavior during Mass and that a crying little one should be quietly removed until she is calm again, I do not think that leaving a child at home is an acceptable alternative. It is lovely to think that children should be kept away until people like Mr. Weigel deem them tolerable enough to allow in his sacred space. However, in the years that it takes for this to happen, an entire generation of children will not be in the habit nor of the inclination to attend Mass, thereby making them less and less likely to participate as adults with their own families.

I believe in the sanctity of the church and recognize the need for quiet states of reflection during Mass and other times of prayer. I respect the rights of all people to have silence in this space in order to meet their own spiritual needs.  However, I also view our Catholic worship space as a center for building community, strengthening family, and finding communion with God through relationship with others. Perhaps certain Masses in parishes could cater to those who desire a more quiet, reflective space, while others could be more family centered allowing for an atmosphere that is festive, vibrant, and welcoming. I remind Mr. Weigel that there is room for all Catholics in the church — from the very, very young to the very, very old. We need to find ways to accommodate the needs of all — to the exclusion of none. Catholic — Universal: that includes my children and yours.

Kristin E. Jakubowski

Pennsauken

Editor:

How interesting to find an answer to “Rediscover the sounds of silence in church” by George Weigel right above it in “An open letter to those who don’t go to church” (Ronald Rolheiser).

Silence in church is indeed a “monkish” virtue, as described in Rolheiser’s article. I strongly admonish those relishing the “silence” so encouraged by Weigel, to truly see Jesus himself working among the people in their cordial acts of mercy to each other in the form of chatter before, after and sometimes during the Mass, especially at time of the exchange of peace.

Look, there is a totally devastated recent widow receiving a few words of hope and love from a friend; another is eagerly talking of an epiphany in her life to a kindred soul; yet another is consoled after receiving disappointing health test results; a young mother is made happy by an old woman’s sheer joy at seeing a child in church! Young married couples have enough on their plate raising children. I adhere to the idea it takes a village to raise a child and strongly support any young mother or dad with children in church. Crying in church should not be frowned upon, but looked at with love and charity.

Truly, Jesus the Man, the ultimate force of love, who said, “Let the little children come to me,”  ….unless you become as a little child, you will not enter Heaven…looks with favor at his church “branches” waving and rustling with mercy and love in his church. He is the vine and we are his branches. Nature shouts with sound, the birds, the bees, and trees rustling in the wind.

Silence in church is good, but love and mercy surpass it in true value. I suggest those treasuring silence to just remain in church another hour. It does get quiet then.

Joan M. Badie

Woodbury Heights