Solving the priest shortage

My hopefulness is increased as I hear comments from laity that they do not want to sacrifice their sacraments for the sake of keeping priests celibate. The shortage of priests worldwide can be resolved when the leaders of our church prayerfully listen to the calls to bring the renewal of a married clergy for the salvation of all by Jesus Christ. It is time. The laity are faithful and intelligent. We are waiting for the church leaders to be aware that the solution to an active and eucharistic community is dependent upon the restoration of a married priesthood.

Michael Lubinsky, Warner Robins, Ga.


Dark Knight of the Soul?

(This letter refers to the Pope's elevation of media billionaire Rupert Murdoch to be a Knight Commander of St. Gregory, one of the Church's highest honors for lay persons. A non-Catholic, Murdoch makes large donations to Catholic charities favored by his devoutly Catholic wife.)

Curious how the Curia thinks and the pope acts. The papal knighting speaks for Caesar and acts as if Jesus Christ never existed. Catholic, baptised, confirmed women cannot be ordained but wealthy non-Catholics can not only be received by His Holiness, but be blessed with honors for "unblemished character". The money tree has deep roots in Caesar's Garden. Where is Truth in this "Year of the Holy Spirit"?

Carol McDermott, Redwood City, Calif.

Ed. note: An article in the Irish Times (Jan. 16) also deplored the honor, contending that Murdoch's tabloid newspapers (The Sun, News of the World, the New York Post, etc.) "have been full of stern moralising in their editorials, and soft pornography on the other pages. Few people in modern history have done so much to undermine public morality." The article reports that just before the knighthood was announced, "an Indian court issued a summons for Murdoch to answer charges of being a purveyor of dirty movies."


New light on Mary

I recently read the CTA Spirituality/Justice Reprint entitled "Michael Crosby reflects on Mary, Model of Liberation." As a new (less than one year) Catholic this article helped me to understand Mary in a new way. My involvement in human rights issues also leads me to want to know more about your organization and publications.

Lori A. Jensen, Ellicott City, Md.


Grandmother moved by Chittister spirituality

I have just finished reading "Heart of Flesh,"the January reprint. I am so moved (in more ways than I can articulate) by Joan Chittister's profound sense of church and spirituality. I'm in my 70s. I've audited classes on feminist spirituality at Clarke College here in Dubuque; I've been involved in anti-nuclear movements; I've been present to the inner city in Des Moines when I lived there. For the past 16 years I've been a member of an alternative worshiping community at Loras College here in Dubuque. These are all very important parts of who I am, but every time I read something by Joan or hear her speak, I am moved again to the bigger, more important issue for my last years: a change of heart -- to understand the anger I feel and to know what to do with it. I am no longer angry for me. I am very angry, however, for my grandchildren who are in a new and better world, to be sure, but are still being educated and employed by the system that keeps us all prisoners.

Thank you for reprinting this and other talks by Joan. I probably will not attend the conferences, but what happens there and what comes from there will be in my thoughts and prayers always. I will continue to share the information I receive as a member of CTA and hope that one line -- one word -- will change one heart and bring strength and reserve and action to one more soul.

Marilynn Condon, Dubuque, Ia. (e-mail)


Another grandma helps CTA

Rosemary Webb of Joliet, Ill., is a longtime volunteer staffer in the CTA office in Chicago and at CTA conferences. At Christmas time she received this note from her grandchildren, with a $100 check made out to CTA.

Dear Grandma,
This donation comes from your grandchildren who know how important this organization is to you...which makes it important to us! Merry Christmas!