Write On
Professional women cope with Vatican
As a professional who has worked in the church now for 20 years, I have to take a stand against unjust practices that will be taught as truth to our upcoming generations by adults who do not question, research, and see the damage that the Vatican is breeding. I ask myself how can I continue to work in such an unjust structure. I realize if I choose to work in the secular workplace, I lose a base of operations to effect change. So what do I gain from that? On the other hand, to what degree is personal integrity compromised by continuing to plod (and that's what it seems like now) in the same old directions. I reach out to CTA to dialogue, to struggle together, and to identify and work for gospel directions. All this, despite the looming shadow of the Vatican.
Judi Gay, St. Cloud, MN
As I renew my membership, I wish to extend CTA and the Women's Ordination Conference a big thank you. I was leery when I first joined CTA. I thought CTA was too radical. However, CTA and WOC have become my lifeline to the Catholic Church. If not for these two wonderful organizations, I think I would have left the Church by now. Many times I have thought of leaving because of my dilemma over the Church's stance on women's ordination. Networking with CTA and WOC has helped to relieve the pain. You have become my hope for the future of the Church. You help to fill the spiritual voids and soothe the anger the institutional Church has left in me.
Barb A. Platte, DDS, Sebring, FL
Roll back the stone
Receiving the news from CTA and the other organizations involved is always a bright part of my month. Here in my parish, it is like trying to roll the stone away from our Lord's tomb. Most do not understand that was done about 2,000 years ago and the kingdom of God is now! I have recently been driving to another parish some 30 miles away that does have the forward-looking attitudes that I need. I'd like to start a small Christian community here but even among the friends I have made I find a spirit of doubt and disillusionism over the fact the we were not always treated as mature Christians in our church.
I also want to thank you for the way you address materials to me. I have been widowed for 13 years, much earlier than most people. This required many changes on my part and I feel requires recognition for the person I have become. Before I was just my husband's wife and believe me, in the world as it is, it is not easy to be reborn, which I was. Your recognition of me as an individual is much appreciated.
Nancy Otto, Allegan, MI
Priests love, hate CTA
You do great work! So much anger about Ratzinger and our Pope. Important to remember that it is not "their" church but Christ's Church. Don't give them the power to push you out.
Fr. Harry Behan, St. Peter, MN
I do not agree with Call To Action's views and positions, many of which are contrary to the teaching and practice of the Roman Catholic Church. Please immediately drop St. Patrick's Church from your mailing list.
Fr. Bruce Kind, Galesburg, IL
CTA found guilty of heresy
We believe that Call To Action is in serious error and is jeopardizing the souls of Catholics, especially our young. We pray with Jesus: Forgive them, Father, they know not what they are doing. Our beloved church has survived heretical teachings in the past and the Holy Spirit will protect her from Call To Action now and in the future.
Mary Lou and Ed McGarrell, Elmira, NY
As a recent convert to Roman Catholicism and a former Christian Fundamentalist and former member of the Christian Coalition I find your recent letter most insulting and filled with heresy. Whatever led you to believe that the Church is a 'democratic' organization? Where does Christ ask the disciples to vote? One of the reasons that I joined the Church is that it does not conform to the world, democratic, socialistic or whatever. As for the Christian Coalition, though their faith may be in error, I would prefer to live next to a born-again Christian than a "modern American Catholic" who ladles out socialist tripe.
I will certainly love all peoople, including feminists, homosexuals, et al. But I most adamantly will not agree with their agenda. Hate the sin, love the sinner. And if any of the Catholic bishops who show you support ordain women as priests, in defiance of the Holy Father and the College of Bishops, I would pray that they be excommunicated. The Lord's Church is not to be divided, not even by its Bishops.
R. L. Marlett, Monterey, CA
She was first non-ordained "pastor"
After listening to some of your tapes from the last convention, I decided to write about one of the statements made during the introduction of Bishop Lucker. The person who introduced him said he was the first bishop to appoint a non-ordained minister to a parish. He actually was the second one. It was Bishop Sylvester Treinen of Idaho, now retired, who was the first to appoint a non-ordained minister for parishes. He did so in July, l980, a full year before Bishop Lucker. I know this month and year is exact because I am the one who was appointed.
Bernice Wessels, OSB
Don't ordain anyone
I have decided that I don't believe that women should be ordained priests. I should hastily add that I don't think that men shoud be ordained priests either. Nor girls or boys, etc. If any of us are not priests already, then Rome can't do anything about that. Where does that leave me, relative to CTA?
Francis J. Durgin, M.D., Fayetteville, NY
Try another church
I am very pro John Paul II, and very against women priests. With many other churches which would welcome them, why don't these women join them? Please suggest it to them.
Helen Priestly, Dalhart, TX
Yes, and ban Sandra Schneiders
It matters not whether two-thirds (or even 99 percent) of American Catholics are in favor of the ordination of women. (That in itself is an oxymoron.) Let those who can't accept it leave the Church and go elsewhere, perhaps to the Episcopal Church which has priestesses and "bishopesses", both contrary to Catholic teaching. So-called biblical scholar Sandra Schneiders should be barred from speaking in any Catholic Church or at any official Church meetings.
Walter H. Morton, New York, NY
Hurrah for Bishop Lucker
Your Dec.-Jan.CTA News was refreshing. I knew Bishop Lucker many years ago in MN when I was briefly involved with teaching religion to public shool children in Minneapolis. I am pleased with his forthright article on infallibility and ordination. I have been a widow since 1991. I do volunteer teaching of English as a second language and I'm a part-time student at age 81.
Ms. H. K. Moos, Sun City West, AZ
Celibacy is the issue
I have been a strong advocate of CTA, but an even stronger advocate of CITI -- Celibacy Is The Issue. I am afraid we are falling into a trap Ratzinger loves: making it a male-female war. It is not. Celibacy is the issue. Until and unless celibacy becomes a voluntary choice for priests, it matters not if they are men or women. Ratzinger and John Paul II are celibate. They also happen to be sexist, but only celibates can be priests.
I am a non-practicing Catholic. I wish to work with CTA, and practicing and non-practicing Christians and Catholics, to help what Hans Küng says: "What we must be able to hear from Rome once again is the voice of the Good Shepherd."
Ralph Desocio, Liverpool, NY
Editor's note: CITI is an organization, well known in these pages and at CTA conferences, which works to put married priests back into ministry with communities that need a priest. Their contact number, in cooperation with CORPUS, is 1 800 PRIEST 9.
Strident Pope-haters
If, as Avery Dulles puts it, Vatican II represents Catholicity as "reconciled diversity," then such subjects as the ordination of women, priestly celibacy, sexism, etc. should be discussed in the spirit of the Council and in accordance with its teachings on ordination, women and sex, and not in the strident tones that characterize the Pope John Paul-haters. I as a liberal Catholic would rejoice if the Holy Father could see his way clear to permit priesthood for women, but until he is able to do so I will not support such ordination. He alone is Christ's vicar. Ask Christ.
Alfred H. Murphy, Springfield, NJ
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