LETTERS
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Contents © 1998
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.
LETTERS
FEBRUARY 1998
NICOLOSI'S JUDGEMENT ETHICALLY QUESTIONABLE
This is in response to your article "Escalating The Battle" (News, December Mission). It deals with the resolution issued by the American Psychological Association (APA) whereby Sexual Reorientation Therapists like Dr. Joseph Nicolosi are required to read to their clients a statement noting that homosexuality is "normal and healthy." Nicolosi is quoted saying that he has the right to tell the client that he disagrees with the APA.
Undoubtedly, Dr. Nicolosi seems determined on imposing his moral and religious values regarding homosexuality on vulnerable clients. His clinical judgement on the issue of homosexuality as a pathological condition is ethically questionable since the APA stopped considering homosexuality as a mental illness in 1973. It seems to me that he lacks the necessary objectivity as a psychologist by not remaining neutral in terms of values and beliefs. This definitely compromises the therapeutic process since he gives the impression of being a homophobe missionary determined to preach his beliefs instead of being an unbiased clinician interested in enhancing the mental health of distraught gays and lesbians in an objective and professional manner.
Fernando Ortiz
Santa Clara University
WHY THIS WAR IN THE CHURCH?
I am strongly compelled to write because of my serious concern about the approach your publication takes when addressing issues facing our Church. I try to keep an open mind and heart when it comes to differing opinions regarding the state of the Church, that's why I read your publication even though I have neither subscribed to it nor agree with its philosophy or approach. Still, I am painfully concerned when differences in the Church (serious as they seem to some) become centered on personal and vitriolic attacks especially aimed toward our bishops and those in leadership within our Church. This does nothing to "preserve the unity which has the Spirit as its origin and peace as its binding force" (Eph. 4:3). Rather, it seems to me that more good can be accomplished and more positive witness given when Catholics try to overcome our tensions and differences though mutual charity and the respect which is due to every member of the Body of Christ.
Sometimes I think many forget that our bishops, exercising a unique and sacred ministry among us by the grace of Christ, are still our brothers in the Lord and at the very least deserve the respect due to any son or daughter of God. On various occasions in the December issue and in past issues, the writers of Mission have gone to great lengths to personally attack one bishop in particular and others either by name or innuendo. This does no good, but only wounds the Body of Christ. Doesn't it seem better for all of us, no matter what end of the ecclesiastical spectrum we may claim to defend, to make a conscious and faithful effort to find ways of expressing our opinions and views regarding the issues facing our Church without losing sight of one another's dignity in Christ? We can differ with one another on issues great and small. We can express ourselves very strongly about the evils in our world and those even in our own family. We must do our part to voice our concerns and defend genuine Church teaching and our unique Catholic identity. But do we need to tear one another (and the Church we love) apart in the process? I am not one who subscribes to the "peace at any price" approach. but what seems to be happening in our church is that battle lines have been drawn and a "war" has been declared. To what end? And for what purpose? Is our goal to see who "wins the war" or to search for and find the truth?
I hope that in the future, Mission may truly serve in being an avenue of healing and reconciliation, honest dialogue and unity to the Church we all love.
All Christianity is preparing for the Great Jubilee in the year 2000. And for us Catholics, Our Holy Father has called us to a spiritual re-awakening and a "New Evangelization." How can this be accomplished when we are at the each others' throats? My fervent prayer is that in the spirit of Jubilee (Leviticus 25) we might lay aside division and hatred, offer peace and forgiveness to our neighbor, free ourselves from all that hinders us from recognizing God's presence in our midst and His dominion over all of us.
Rev. Msgr. Raymond Dreiling, Pastor
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Clovis
WHO'S DIVISIVE?
I just read the letter from Rev. Malcolm Smith of the Holy Family Cathedral in Orange (see Letters, December Mission), and don't know whether he is a dissident or just naive. The division to the Body of Christ he refers to is mainly caused by our clergy who have their own agenda rather than providing for the salvation of the souls of their flocks. I applaud your efforts in keeping the Catholic population in this diocese informed.
I am enclosing an offering of $20--ten for me and ten for Father Smith.
Joe Tramma
La Mirada
GOD IS NOT LIMITED
I am writing to offer balance to the front page article by Hippocrates Wächter in the January 1998 issue ["The Big Business of Catholic Healthcare"]. In 1995 I began and then completed the year-long chaplaincy training program at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard. I appreciated the exposure to many different spiritualities and did not find them detrimental to my Catholic sensitivities. Since my training there, I have worked in two different hospitals ministering to people of the very spiritual traditions and practices Wächter mentions. I feel the exposure at the hospital in Oxnard has made me more effective in my ministry to patients of many faith traditions.
I treasure my Catholic heritage and don't believe participation in what this writer calls "a pantheistic and New Age approach" took away from my own cherished values, beliefs and practices. In fact, I feel the spiritual dimension of the program at Oxnard increased my love, care and compassion for all of God's people, whatever their religious tradition or orientation.
Wächter also seems too be offended by the poetic prayer of the four directions often uttered by our Native American brothers and sisters. I don't find that offensive at all. God is not limited by one name. Saints and mystics, like St. John of the Cross, Hildegard of Bingen and Julian of Norwich, who are acclaimed by the Catholic Church, have not done less. On another issue mentioned by Wächter, I'd suggest he reflect on the many nature walks taken, no doubt, by St. Francis of Assisi because of his deep love of God and God's creation.
I hope my comments illustrate that openness and respect for other spiritualities need not be feared and that the spiritual offerings at St. John's Regional Medical Center may well be fulfilling the priestly prayer of Jesus: "May they all be one, as you are in me and I in you..."
Sister Marlene Panko, SSND
Playa del Rey
ENOUGH SAID!
I truly resent receiving unsolicited JUNK mail. You do great damage to our Church. Your understanding of Catholicism is pitiful. Enough said. SCRATCH MY NAME OFF YOUR MAILING LIST AT ONCE!
Rev. Dominic DePasquale
Riverside, CA
A POSITIVE INFLUENCE FOR GOOD
Having now had the opportunity to read several issues of the Mission through the kindness of a friend. I want to write to tell you what a positive influence it is for good both in Southern California and in the wider world. It is a voice that needed to be heard--and now is. For that, everyone who loves the Catholic Faith should rejoice.
I'm an Anglican priest, now in my 27th year of ordination. I grew up in Southern California and had many Roman Catholic friends--long before Vatican II. We had an authentic ecumenism "on the ground" that many of us believed would bring about the union of the great historic branches of Christendom by the year 2000. Sadly--in spite of the efforts of many--this will not come to pass. In this week of Prayer for Christian Unity (which was started by an Anglican religious community a century ago) the painful disunity of historic orthodox Christianity becomes more apparent. I fear that it will get worse before it gets better.
Being one who has spent much of his life in teaching--both in church and in the university community, I have come to the conclusion that there is a polarization taking place in the historic Church that is both demanding and daring. Demanding, because it is forcing a re-analysis of our relations with sister communions; and daring, because I am steadily strengthened in the idea that this polarization could be the "straw" that will break the log jam of barriers to true unity.
Whether one is Anglican, Eastern Orthodox or Roman Catholic, there is ample evidence that within each of the three communions there is a polarization between what I will call historical orthodox Tradition and situational pragmatic Radicalism. To be sure, it started in the sixteenth century with the so-called Reformation (I prefer to call it the Reduction!) but its antecedents go back centuries before. One finds oneself in such things as the right to life movement or the battle to achieve equality in public education with private/parochial education. This coalition will manifest itself in issues of sexual morality or the issue of curbing substantive pornography without censorship and in such issues as authentic justice for the poor or realization of human rights and self-determination in places like the Holy Land. In all of these issues there is usually a common theological denominator clustered around a belief in absolute standards of right and wrong; an understanding of the working of secular and sacred history, and an appreciation of Tradition (as opposed to mindless Fundamentalism based on caricatures of biblical exegesis) and a profound belief that the Christian religion--especially in its historic expression--has something to say that is worthwhile about every aspect of life.
This, of course, is where the Mission comes into play. Although you focus on the problems in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the issues raised go beyond archdiocesan boundaries and can be repeated (with only the names changed, if you will) everywhere with few exceptions. No wonder the seminaries are empty and men are leaving the priesthood for other professions! No wonder the role of religion in the public square shrinks almost by the day. No wonder more and more of our remaining rights, allegedly guaranteed by law are abstract ideas that are de facto privileges, not rights. And no wonder people are leaving the parishes in droves. Why should they stay?
No one likes to be told that the faith that sustained him and the faith that comforted his ancestors for generations is only "one more option." No one likes to think that the work he and his family and friends are doing in the parish or sodality (where such remain viable) has no value and his only real duty is to obey diminished and disappearing precepts of the Church "unless unavoidably excused" and to "pay up" with time, talent and treasure to support factions and ideologies that change like the seasons of the year. No wonder people--poorly catechized in any real way--are led off into the undergrowth of sectarian Protestantism, New Age pseudo-philosophy or old fashioned secular humanism.
It is a shame that more and more of the pro-life work that has brought about a lessening of the number of abortions is often done by the Protestant denominations. It is a scandal that many of the growing number of denominational students in bible colleges, etc. are former members of these historic Churches--often driven to distraction for want of authentic catechesis and then abandoned to the wolves waiting for them.
The hierarchy of the groups I think of, as a group, have done less than their duty. Too often they have allowed, if not abetted, the feeding of stones and scorpions instead of the "Bread that strengthens mens' souls." When confronted, they have no real justification but to continue knowing that little if anything effective will be done to change their methods or mindset. And here, again, the Mission fills a vital role in sounding a warning call.
It's sad to see such places as St. Andrew's in Pasadena (recently featured in "Roamin' Catholic", November 1997 Mission) a shadow of its former self, for example, and it's sad to know that St. Vibiana's relics are now kept in the Archbishops' Crypt in a church cemetery, forgotten and almost abandoned.
Epiphany blessings on the Mission! Your existence may be a thorn in the side of some, but it is a staff of support to many. I also read the Tidings. It's much different than it was 50 years ago, but between the two papers one gets a good feel for the real issues and the real struggle. This, in turn, encourages many beyond the Roman tradition to keep fighting and, in their own part of the vineyard, bring light into darkness. May Our Lady Help of Christians bless us all.
Rev. G.D.V. Wiebe, SSC, Ph.D
Reno, Nevada
AS BEAUTIFUL AS SHE WAS GOOD
Thank you for the excellent and very moving article in the December issue about Thomas Aquinas student Angela Baird [See "In Her Case, Suffering Had Meaning," December, 1997]. What a truly saintly girl--and as beautiful as she was good. Your publication is informative and full of news. I like the ads, too. The author, Karen Walker, is great.
Enclosed is my subscription contribution.
Mrs. Michael Boldrick
Santa Maria