Letters to the Editor - 5/25/2009

Bishop should aim to heal wounds

Editor: All religions have basic truths that you must believe if you wish to be a member of that faith. If you do not agree with those basic truths, you should find a religion that more accurately reflects your beliefs.

In the Roman Catholic faith the bishop has absolute authority in his diocese, granted to him from Rome. While you may not like that your home parish or school gets merged or closed, the bishop's say is final and as a good Catholic you believe he is acting as the Lord would wish and in the best interests of the church. Emotions run high when it comes to these topics. But some of the bishop's actions have been long overdue and, for some, it is very hard to see your home church shuttered, even if it is necessary progress.

When it comes to education, this area owes a great debt to the Roman Catholic Church. The church blazed trails in opening opportunities for learning to those in the coalfields and surrounding areas. The selfless sacrifices of many priests, brothers and sisters allowed for the creation of grade schools, high schools, colleges, hospitals and orphanages.

In days gone by the majority of those working at Catholic institutions were under the direct authority of the bishop by virtue of their vows, for most of those teaching at the Catholic schools were priests, sisters or brothers.

Today the overwhelming majority of those teaching at Catholic institutions are lay people, most of whom could very well find work at public schools. The bishop and teachers' reps, chosen by the teachers, should work together to do what is best for all concerned. The bishop may not "legally" have to recognize the union, but he needs to reach out to those teaching in the Catholic schools and begin to heal any wounds that remain.

The bishop has criticized public figures whose actions seem to go against what the church teaches. I believe that an active, ongoing dialogue should be opened between the bishop and those Catholics in public service. It should be made absolutely clear what types of actions or inactions would jeopardize remaining in good standing with one's church. The bishop knows as well as anyone, even Sen. Bob Casey, that just because something is legal that does not make it right.

JOE BROGENSKI

Jefferson Twp.

Impossible pursuit

Editor: How do Jim and Donna Tomasetti ("Try Talking," Your Opinion, May 19) suggest that Bishop Martino arrive at "common ground" with President Obama? Should he compromise the truth that abortion is the murder of an innocent human being, an American holocaust and the worst kind of racism (a large number of aborted babies of African-American heritage)?

Should he accept the nonsense that the president plans to reduce the number of abortions by making it legal overseas at U.S. installations, by giving aid to foreign organizations that promote abortion or by funding Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the United States, with even more tax money? Should he not warn Joe Biden and Bob Casey that they are giving scandal to Catholics when they support abortion and Planned Parenthood?

Further, they state inaccurately that local Catholic universities "never had their integrity questioned until Bishop Martino came to town." May I remind them of the problems at the University of Scranton some years ago (before Bishop Martino) over the health care ethics textbook? Perhaps they should take their own advice and "stop reducing those with differing views to caricature" as they quote the president as stating at Notre Dame.

They also state that "Bishop Martino should emulate President Obama." God forbid!

JOE ALINOSKI

Archbald

First, last word

Editor: Recently, locally and nationally, more and more people zealously espouse their views on guns, gays, abortions or torture and sometimes on all four. Each zealot uncompromisingly believes himself to be the final repository of truth.

Perhaps now is the time to consider the words of Winston Churchill when he said, "A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject."

GEORGE J. MOTSAY, M.D.

Upper Macungie Twp.,

Lehigh County

Get drilling

Editor: The Washington establishment is opining about wind power and switchgrass, while the Chinese are building their economy on the oil standard. Yes, not gold, or corn oil, but real oil - the kind they get with horizontal drilling under the territory of other nations.

China's latest deal, among many others, was with Russia to build a pipeline from Siberia to Beijing. This deal is a follow-up to bigger deals with Cuba, Africa and Iran.

If the U. S. would drill its oil resources and build nuclear generating facilities, the effect on our balance of payments would have the effect of a massive stimulus with no debt.

The energy gurus that are grandfathered into the Washington beltway have become open-minded about everything and certain about nothing. The Chinese are well aware that ambivalence about a sound energy policy is the primrose path to economic weakness, which then leads to economic dependence.

Now, to go from foolishness to stupidity, the Obama administration is reviving the old restrictions on off-shore drilling that were lifted by President Bush. The French are laughing and the Chinese are cheering. The Washington bureaucrats are cogitating again, while the price of oil is rising.

EDWARD D. MARTINO

BLUE BALL,

LANCASTER COUNTY

Make time to reflect

Editor: Memorial Day calls to mind the smell of fresh-cut grass, barbecues and the laughter of families gathered together to celebrate.

Celebrate what? A day off from work or school? No! Memorial Day is to recall and count our blessings that we as Americans have the military to keep us safe. On this day, we all must take a moment to look at our American flag (if we have one) and think of all our men and women of our armed forces who have served this great nation and paid the ultimate price - their life.

I know our lives are so caught up in everyday problems, but I ask as an aunt who lost a nephew in Iraq on March 31, 2006, Lance Cpl. Jacob Walter Beisel, USMC, to take a moment of silence and think about all our fallen heroes and just be grateful that we have the military protecting us.

Once again we all love and miss Jacob. Happy Memorial Day! Let freedom ring.

TINA AUGELLO

Lackawaxen,

Pike County

Show thanks

Editor: There was another Armed Forces Parade on May 16 and there was hardly anyone there.

It is a shame that so few people come out to see our men and women march. They deserve to be honored as do our veterans and those who lost their lives for our country.

It really is a shame that the St. Patrick's Day Parade attracts tens of thousands but only a couple of thousand come out for the armed forces. Where is the respect?

Maybe the parade needs to be publicized more.

I am so proud of the men and women and so should the entire city of Scranton and surrounding areas.

MYRNA WATKINS

Scranton