You Go, Sister!
Thank you to Anne Marshall who did a magnificent feature story — “The Sisters: The lives of American nuns” (LEO Weekly, July 25). There is a group of Catholics and non-Catholics in the Louisville and Bardstown areas concerned about the recent actions of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (which, by the way, is a change of name from “The Inquisition”). There have already been six prayer vigils in support of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) and sisters serving all over Kentucky. This week there will be three more prayer vigils in the area to coincide with prayer vigils being held in cities all across the nation as the LCWR meets at their annual assembly to discern their next steps toward the mandate issued by the Vatican. The vigils will be held at the Cathedral of the Assumption and St. Raphael Catholic Church in Louisville, and at the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral in Bardstown. Marshall was able to explain succinctly what is happening, while showcasing the wonderful gifts of ministry of the sisters who were featured in the story. Kudos to her! The sisters “walk the walk” and not just “talk the talk,” as the CDF wishes them to do.
Jo Anne Feldman, Hurstbourne
Chicken Choke
According to news outlets, more than 600,000 people accepted Mike Huckabee’s invitation to support Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day. They say they support Chick-fil-A’s “traditional values” and that they are “taking a stand” against those who they say are “intolerant of their Christian beliefs.” Dan Cathy is entitled to his opinion, and to share it, as are the more than 600,000 folks who ate chicken sandwiches Aug. 1.
I don’t agree with the causes Dan Cathy supports with his money, and therefore I won’t patronize his establishment — it’s very simple. But it’s unreasonable for me to tell others they shouldn’t eat there due to my personal feelings on the matter. I can suggest they boycott, but I can’t take personal offense if they decide not to. By the same token, if Chick-fil-A supporters don’t agree with gay marriage, then they shouldn’t have a gay marriage, and they shouldn’t feel victimized if people reject their beliefs.
What I’ve been pondering the most is this: If Mike Huckabee sent out a Facebook invite calling Aug. 1 “National Feed the Needy Day,” how many of the 600,000 Chick-fil-A supporters would show up?
Sam Smock, Highlands
Safety First
So the NRA urges our citizens to arm themselves with assault weapons so they can defend against the government when it runs amuck like the Nazis did in the 1930s and ’40s. A great idea, but a bunch of guys with hand-held weapons wouldn’t count much against 1 million American soldiers armed with state-of-the-art munitions. So to follow through with the gun-nut logic, we’ve got to do a lot better than trinkets like M-16s and AK 47s. Why not give a license to the Internet vendors who supplied the mass murderer in Denver? That way, any kook on the street could order tanks, bazookas, howitzers and cruise missiles. Then we’d really be safe!
John Gamel, St. Matthews
Guns Over God
The horrific shooting that took place in Aurora, Colo., is deja vu. We continue to have reoccurrences of these kinds of atrocities. It seems America’s love affair with guns and violence will never end. The greed of gun makers and gun sellers keeps them from caring. The National Rifle Association and spineless legislators use the gun issue for political advantage or gain. The NRA and the mistakenly inerrant Second Amendment are holding us hostage. Let us go; set us free!
For far too many, greed and political power are more important than human life. It seems pro-life sentiment ends at birth. Our spiritual leaders, political leaders and business leaders fail us by not courageously speaking out against violence and the part guns play in perpetrating violence. It is time to seize the moment and do something constructive on gun control before the next horrendous act of gun violence occurs. But, as we all know from past experience, the dominating powers that be aren’t going to do anything.
In America, love of money, power, guns, violence are winning over love of God, neighbor, self.
Paul L. Whiteley Sr., St. Matthews
