Similar WitnessRe “What Martyrdom Means,” by Patrick Gilger, S.J. (5/12): In so many ways, the story of the life and death of Frans van der Lugt, S.J., echoes the story of the seven Trappist monks who lived among Algerians in Tibhirine and who were kidnapped and beheaded during the Alger

Christ at CenterI very much appreciated “Redefining Success,” by Brian B. Pinter (5/12). After 27 years teaching at the college level, I am more and more convinced of the crucial importance of the formation in faith that students receive in high school. It is often determinative for thei

Writing in the WorldI read with interest “Writers Blocked?” by Kaya Oakes (4/28), an assessment of Catholic writing today. The “Golden Age” writers Thomas Merton, Flannery O’Connor and Walker Percy were read, not because they were Catholic but because they had something

Writer RespondsI read “Writers Blocked?” by Kaya Oakes (4/28), about Catholic writing today, with some bewilderment. While I agree with much of what she says, Ms. Oakes makes a number of odd or erroneous statements about my literary and cultural views. The oddest of all: “Gioia cal

True GreatnessI was surprised and grateful to read “Ford’s Foundation,” by Aaron Pidel, S.J. (3/31), about the true greatness of John C. Ford, S.J.When I was a young Jesuit in philosophy studies at Weston College, Father Ford helped me greatly to deal with a number of spi

Conscience IntegralWhile rightly sounding an alarm about the dangers of a growing secular culture antagonistic to deeply held religious values, “Our Secular Future,” by R. R. Reno (2/24), gives short shrift to the rights of conscience. “Liberty of Religion and of Conscience,”

Intersex RealityRe “When the Law Is a Crime” (Editorial, 3/10): In Jesus Christ there is no male or female (sexism), no Greek or Jew (ethnocentrism or religious sectarianism), no slave or free (classism) because all are one in Jesus Christ.There are countless species of life on earth in

Back to Basics“See the Person” is relevant and interesting. However, the four elements that “should mark a new stance toward homosexuals and homosexuality” are a bit complicated. Why not just return to the basics of seeing all persons whom God has created? The catechism says

Not Bound to ItPlease, dear editors of America, rummage around in the newsroom and find your style guide. Insert a blank sheet of paper and write on it, with a big black Sharpie, “Do not use the expression wheelchair-bound to describe individuals who use wheelchairs.”I had a hard time fi

Protestant PerspectiveI read the article with interest. In some areas, however, I have a different experience, and that difference brings a different evaluation of the current situation in American society.I was a military chaplain from 1975 to 1983. In my experience, Roman Catholic chaplains were g