Letters

Some, But Not All A correspondent in a recent issue (Letters, 4/20) wrote that “it is a great pity that the American bishops do not choose to lead by recognizing the complexity of the issue on which they are called to teach, and then teaching in a way that produces more light and less heat.&rd

Amazing Grace Thanks to Frank Moan, S.J., for his reflections on prayer (“Finally, God’s Voice,” 2/9). It takes courage to punch through the veneers of doctrine and dogma and arrive at a place and time that is infused with God. Moan speaks to the sterility of words that can so easi

Jailhouse Blues Your editorial on the prison industry (“Prison Nation,” 3/9) paints a shocking picture. It would be helpful to remind ourselves that while the terminology varies, there are only three goals of imprisonment: the punitive (punishment for offenses), the rehabilitative (reint

Realpolitik I am a Venezuelan missionary priest working in the United States, and I make frequent visits to my home country because of my ministry. I deeply agree with your editorial on Venezuela (“A Future With Mr. Chávez,” 3/16). I would like your readers to focus their attentio

New Wineskins Thank you for “Exceptional Pastoring,” by Mary M. Foley (3/9). My parish priest is running three parishes spread over two towns, the parish priest next door is running two other parishes in two other towns—and so it goes. Here in England, we have far fewer priests tha

Violence Voyeurism The review of “Slumdog Millionaire,” by Richard Leonard, S.J. (“Cashing In,” 2/23) was the only one to put into words the reasons I left that movie after watching 35 minutes of brutality. I went to see the movie because my acquaintances raved about it; not

Baptismal Call The column by Thomas Massaro, S.J. (“Blessed Are the Poor” 1/26), discussing the moral requirements of the current economic downturn, is a wonderful addition to the pages of your magazine in these challenging times. Many of us feel bad about our own losses from these event

Obama’s First Days Vincent Rougeau’s essay, “Real Americans, Real Catholics” (2/16), raises the question of how we can build common ground with those who are visibly angry over having lost the election and the Catholic vote on Nov. 4. I believe that the majority of Catholic v

The Greater Good I read with eagerness the 10 letters and memos addressed to Barack Obama (“Mister President,” 1/19). I read them in the light of Ignatian spirituality, namely, the discernment not only of good things that need to be done but also of what is the “greater good”

Wheat That Springeth Green Bob Peace (“The Food on Our Tables,” 1/19) has the right to say what he wants about farm subsidies and working conditions for farm laborers in the United States, but there is injustice in every phase of business, in every phase of society and in every phase of