The following letters to the editor appear in the edition of Aug. 7, 2003. Letters appearing in this space do not necessarily reflect the views of the Arlington Catholic Herald or the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. The editor reserves the right to edit letters as necessary. There is no guarantee of publication. Send letters to: letters@catholicherald.com.

Great Articles

I commend the Herald on two recent articles which were of particular and personal interest to me. (July 24 edition).

The first concerned the mission which the Diocese of Arlington supports in Banica, Dominican Republic. Father Patrick Posey described the daunting challenges of poverty, hunger and lack of education that confronted him during his eight years there. He also noted the improvements in the lot of the people, due in great measure to the charitable work of various Catholic organizations.

My connection to this effort is through my son, Neil, who was part of the George Mason University campus ministry volunteer team which participated in building projects at the mission during this past spring break. He recounted to his family the positive impact this experience among less fortunate but warm and friendly people, has made in his outlook on life and social consciousness. We are thankful that Neil had this opportunity to contribute to this worthy cause and appreciate your reporting this exemplary story of the good work being done for those in great need in the Dominican Republic.

The second article I was especially drawn to was on Northern Ireland. Ken Concannon presented a vivid account of circumstances and troubles that continue to haunt that land after centuries of strife between Protestants and Catholics. His brief but informative history, going back to the Reformation, helped to provide some perspective for more recent events and conflicts that often do not receive wide publicity in the U.S. media.

As a descendant of Irish Catholic parents who grew up near Belfast, I had heard their stories of blatant discrimination since my childhood. How we wish that this seemingly intractable situation would come to a fair and just resolution after these many years! We hope and pray, however, that some day soon we will see all of "the Land of Saints and Scholars" blessed with a true and lasting peace. The Herald and Mr. Concannon have served your readership well with this fine piece of writing.

Hugh P. O'Brien
Fredricksburg

Muslim Aggression

The most recent editions of the Arlington Catholic Herald noted a visit by the exiled Bishop of the El Obied Diocese of the Sudan to the Arlington Diocese.

The major and true error in that article was the description of the war in the Sudan as a civil war. It is, in fact, a "jihad" action by Moslems against the Catholics of that land. The byproducts of that jihad have been the murder of many non-Moslems, destruction of their churches, enslavement of boys for forced military service and of girls for sexual abuse and all the other signs of Moslem aggression so common for the last 1400-plus years.

Where in the Catholic press or in the sermons of our bishops and priests are the revelations about this religious war-of-aggression? Where are the petitions to our government to do what is possible (At least a public denouncement by President George W. Bush) to stop these evil acts? Where is the call for a crusade?

James Pawlak
West Allis, WI

Wonderful Priest

Thanks to you and Mary Frances McCarthy for Father Poirier’s obituary in the 17 July 2003 Arlington Catholic Herald. As a communicant at St. Bernadette’s since 1976, it was my privilege to listen to Father Poirier’s sermons, usually at the last weekend mass. May I offer a few reflections based on my limited memory and acquaintance?

Father Poirier had a certain serenity about him. When he spoke, his adroit organization and focus reached his listeners through his calm demeanor. The world had just come though the 1960s, and we were in the 1970s and early 1980s. Week in and week out, consequently, he would attempt to strengthen all of us in the Catholic faith that through grace we had. He preached the Church and its teachings in traditional and historical terms. Those of us in the congregation knew little about him as is the case with most of our priests. What we heard first-hand were his sermons.

Blaise Pascal would have found nothing to object to in what he said. Pascal, furthermore, would have admired very much how Father Poirier said what he said. His Sunday thoughts were orthodox, penetrating, and optimistic. Always was he sensitive to his congregation. He did not carp. Before John Paul II appropriated the word, Father Poirier tried to engender hope in those of us of the wayward paths.

We in the pews probably noticed in a vague way Father Poirier’s academic background. One could hear how well he talked extemporaneously. Experienced and well-trained academic that he was, there were, surprisingly, few references to economists in his sermons. The people Father Poirier mentioned, among others, were Ambrose, Jerome and Augustine. In church, the theologian in him easily trumped his Georgetown profession.

At his last weekend at St. Bernadette’s before going to St. Michael’s with Msgr. Browne, Father Poirier said his good-byes. Directly and graciously he addressed us for the last time. It is now almost twenty years later. In his remarks he employed what he said was an old French Canadian proverb: "Partir, c’est mourir un peu — To leave is to die a little." A melancholy farewell, perhaps. When I saw the Herald’s recent obituary, these words, never forgotten, took on a very special meaning. Our faith that Father Poirier and so many others have taught us gives us clarity. Father Poirier has only died a little, and he will be raised on the last day.

"May eternal light shine upon him, O Lord."

Robert C. Adams
Springfield

Questionable Priorites

In looking over the July 24th issue of the HERALD, I was interested in reading about the budget cuts for Catholic Charities, and news I feel sure Christians all over the world are delighted to hear — the $200 million edifice in Los Angeles (Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels) has been recognized by the Vatican as "one of the largest and most significant Christian churches in the world." I feel sure they will be even happier to know that the name of this building "will be laid out in the marble floor of the world’s largest church (St. Peter Basilica) is not the 17th longest church in the basilica’s "ranking."

How is it that we, as Catholics, (never mind Christians and followers of Christ) can hold our heads up when we condone the spending if $200 million for any building when there are so many needy, sick and destitute people in the world? However, maybe we take some comfort from the fact that the pope gave $6.6 million for disaster relief and development in 2002.

As an individual, it is most difficult to reconcile the fact that as we are continuously asked for monetary support, the "church leaders" seem to be so impressed with real estate and gaudy monuments to Catholicism, while so many of the needy continue to suffer. As Christians we should all pray that our priorities assume more charitable purposes.

Florence Mittino
Stafford

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