The following letters to the editor appear in the edition of Sept. 11, 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.

Seeking Virginia Couples

Another couple's story inspired me to take steps that eventually led me to met my husband. I am now writing a book about how couples meet and what makes their relationships last, to similarly inspire and guide both singles seeking love and couples looking to make their love last. Composed of true stories, the book will illuminate how people first met the loves of their lives and how they make their relationships thrive. I hope that a wide variety of readers will find the book's stories touching, poignant and fun.

I invite Virginia couples to submit stories about how they met and what they think are the essential elements that help make their relationships last. They may describe as few or as many elements as they wish (one-three, typed, single-spaced pages total).

Submit stories, comments and photographs to www.bookstories.net or send to: Bookstories, 1288 Columbus Ave. #154, San Francisco, CA 94133-1302.

Betty Lucas Golub

www.bookstories.net

Up in Smoke

The article by Cian Molloy, "Holy Smoke: Irish Health Minister Seeks to Minimize Risk from Incense" (Aug. 28, 2003), was a breath of fresh air (yes, pun intended) and only the tip of the iceberg. In addition to being carcinogenic, the incense used at Catholic services can cause allergic reactions and even death. There are Catholics who experience breathing difficulty, allergy symptoms and worse, when exposed to incense.

I, myself, am allergic to incense to the degree that I am not able to stay inside a church that has used it even a day or two before, as the lingering particles in the carpet and seat cushions is enough to make me uncomfortable. I have had to leave church, and have "attended" Mass outside on the front stoop when this happens.

I tolerate this. However, when it affects one of my children, I must speak up. Years ago, after attending Stations of the Cross where incense was used, my daughter started to go into anaphylactic shock. By the grace of God she survived. Because of the extreme reaction she has to incense, we were told that even a tiny amount of the substance, now, could trigger the same violent reaction, and, possibly death. Needless to say, on countless occasions we have entered church only to quickly rush back out the door because incense was being used, or was lingering from a previous Mass or a funeral the day before.

I would like to see the custom of using burning tree sap eliminated. However, I am rational enough to consider options. For example, how about having a simple sign in the foyer of the churches, indicating when incense was last used in that space. Or perhaps the bishop could delegate one church in each deanery as "incense free" at all times.

The article about the harmful effects of incense, coupled with today's reading from Mark, spurred me to write this letter in hopes that Catholics everywhere might become aware of problems caused by the use of incense. Insisting that incense be used when it is known to be turning people away from services makes me angry.

I would very much like to hear what other Catholics think on this subject and how many others are adversely affected by the use of incense.

Barbara VornDick
Spotsylvania

Men Change, God Does Not

I would like to offer an alternative to Russell Shaw’s interpretation (ACH 8/28/03) of the rationale of Rev. Robinson for setting aside tradition and teaching on the issue of homosexual behavior. Mr. Shaw says that it appears that Rev. Robinson’s argument is derived from a "notion that God changes his mind now and then as He gets older and smarter." I believe that it is we, and not God, who change, as over time, we better understand God’s will.

A good example of this is slavery. Not only individual Catholics but Catholic institutions owned slaves in this country. Based on scripture and tradition, Catholics apparently did not see such ownership as immoral. Today, however, we believe that slavery is inherently evil. I do not believe that God changed His mind about slavery. I do believe we humans, in our weakness, misinterpreted His will — and gravely so.

Vatican spokesmen, moreover, have defended Pope Pius IX’s participation in the kidnapping of a Jewish boy arguing that such an act was consistent with the morals of the time. These Vatican spokesmen do not argue that such an act would be morally justifiable today. Again, I don't believe that God changed his mind about the evil of kidnapping. It is the Vatican that has grown in its understanding of God’s will.

I believe that I could make a similar argument about capital punishment. Pope John Paul II has spoken forcefully about the evil of taking a life under any circumstance. I don’t believe that he is saying that God has changed His mind about the evil of capital punishment. I believe that the Pope is calling upon us to change our view on the issue.

I am not arguing here in support of Rev. Robinson’s position, but I am arguing that our understanding of God’s will has and will continue to evolve.

Bob Ashdown
Herndon

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