The following letters to the editor appear in the edition of Sept. 23, 2004. 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.

Not All Catholics for Bush

We would like to note our annoyance at what we feel is the HERALD’s assumption that all Catholics support President Bush because of his pro-life stance. President Bush likes to pronounce himself as part of the "culture of life," yet as governor of Texas, more people were put to state-sanctioned death than any other state in this country’s history.

As president, he started war in Iraq, which Pope John Paul II said was the equivalent of "opening the gates of hell." Consequently more than 1,100 U.S. troops and countless civilian lives have been lost.

On the domestic side, he has done a great disservice to children and teachers by pushing the No Child Left Behind Act and then not funding it as promised. He has pushed tax policies that have harmed the innocent. However, the most damaging act of President Bush has been his "slash and burn" of environmental regulations and treaties.

How can President Bush be for the unborn children when his actions for men, women and children promotes an uncertain future of danger with terrorism, lack of support for education and the worsening environment? His interpretation of the "culture of life" is limited and is not the interpretation we as Catholics should be promoting. President Bush does not fit the ideal of the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin’s "seamless garment."

All we know is this faithful, practicing Catholic household will not be voting for President Bush on Nov. 2.

Angela and Larry Prikockis
Arlington

Positions on Abortion

Thank you very much for printing all the letters responding to the HERALD story comparing the positions of President Bush and Sen. Kerry on capital punishment. And thanks for giving the dates of the previous HERALD stories comparing their positions on abortion.

For those readers who don’t have Internet access or those back issues, I’d like to note that Kerry has consistently voted against the ban on partial-birth abortion, which Bush voted into law, and Kerry also opposed the Unborn Victims of Violence Act ("Laci and Conner’s Law"), which the rest of the Senate approved by a vote of 61-38.

Kerry opposes any and all restrictions on abortion, including waiting periods and parental notification. His unwavering support for abortion should give Catholic voters pause.

Marilyn TerrellAnnandale

Politically Educated

Earlier this calendar year, as I read the secular print media, the lively Letters to the Editor and thought provoking regular columns of the Arlington Catholic HERALD on subjects related to the current political scene, I felt somewhat ignorant, "politically homeless" … and figuratively "jobless." Subsequently, two things happened.

First, I read the booklet "Faithful Citizenship," a statement by the Administrative Committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Here I found many important factors that I, as a Catholic, should consider in casting my upcoming vote. These factors were clearly, briefly and logically explained.

Secondly, I attended the first annual conference of the Arlington Diocese Peace and Justice Commission on Sept. 18. The combination of Bishop Loverde’s superb homily at the opening Mass, the insightful, motivating speakers, abundant published reference material and unbelievable networking opportunities far exceeded my highest expectations. Encouraged by the information I received, I am now already "employed" in the social justice field as I have taken heed of the exhortation that Catholic laity must become active in their political, social and economic realms.

"Amazing Grace" flowed from that conference. I look forward to many future such conferences, "ad multos annos." Bless all those responsible for the conference, those who spoke and those who attended.

Now I can proudly say that I have become suitably educated, have an exciting job and have found a home even though it needs some significant repairs here and there.

Thomas L. O’Connor
Vienna

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