| November 5, 2007 | Volume 83, Number 1 | |
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Legislator says CV editorial erredYour editorial “Answer the question” (Oct. 22 issue) presents readers of The Catholic Virginian with a narrowly skewed and therefore inaccurate prologue to the accompanying Candidate Questionnaire Responses. In a series of assertions you declare that candidates who did not respond to the survey either were “afraid” or “did not care to take a stand” or “ignored” the survey and were “avoiding the issues.” Further, you give your readers no way of knowing that the survey was conducted by an entity separate from The Catholic Virginian, namely The Virginia Catholic Conference, and that many members of the Virginia legislature — including me — respectfully explained to the Catholic Conference that there simply is not time to answer the scores of questionnaires that are submitted to us. Evidently my communication to the Conference, in early September, was not conveyed to you. The legislature of Virginia is, thankfully, composed of citizen-legislators who serve part-time. The part-time nature of the office is reflected in the stipend — $18,000 per year. As a public official for over two decades and as a candidate for re-election to the Virginia House of Delegates in November, I must devote my energies to my constituents — more often than not seven days every week, 52 weeks of the year. I do this because I love my community and the people among whom I live and because I wish to have their interests fully represented in Richmond. Contrary to your assertions, I take great care, through countless meetings, continuous correspondence by post, email, and telephone, and also the press, to ensure that my constituents have a complete understanding of my convictions and of my votes on major issues. Further, the legislature ensures that voting records — including on the issues you cite in your editorial — are readily available to the public either by visiting the Capitol or via the Internet at www.legis.state.va.us. As these records demonstrate, in any given year I am required to review upwards of 4,000 bills and to cast votes on numerous bills that are constantly being debated and amended in committee as they make their way to the floor for yet another, final decision. All of my votes in both committees and on the Floor of the House are easily accessible. Further, I am a Roman Catholic, a teacher in a largely Catholic school, and I am pleased to consult with Bishop DiLorenzo and to work closely with the Catholic Conference’s able and congenial legislative liaison, Jeff Caruso, and also with other Catholic members of the legislature, to ensure that Catholic Virginians’ principles are well represented in the Assembly’s deliberations. Fittingly, I strive, too, to ensure that the principles of all of my constituents, without regard to creed, are duly considered and faithfully represented.
(Editor: The editorial “Answer the question” credits the Virginia Catholic Conference with conducting the survey. The questionnaire was sent out by the Conference on behalf of Virginia’s two Catholic bishops. The editorial further states that the “Virginia Catholic Conference has prepared a chart which indicates...” Mr. Ware is correct in assuming that The Catholic Virginian did not know of his earlier communication with the Virginia Catholic Conference in which he explained that he did not have time to complete the many questionnaires legislators are asked to complete.)
Vatican stand seems inconsistentYour lead news story in the Sept. 24 issue entitled “Vatican clarifies stand on key life issue” conflicts with an article written by a theologian in Saint Anthony’s magazine. In that article the successor to Mother Teresa was surprised by Pope John Paul II’s pronouncement as it applied to Catholic medical teaching. Since her order does not use artificial feeding, she believed she was not obedient to the teachings of the Church. According to the article, she was instructed by the Vatican that it did not apply to her patients. The article also pointed out that the treatment of John Paul II’s final illness did not involve an implanted feeding tube. His Holiness’s nutritional situation was not optimal and periodically the medical team gave him feeding through a tube inserted in his nose and removed it. The inclusion of the Terry Schiavo case which caused Pope John Paul II’s pronouncements complicates this issue. The Florida court only affirmed that her husband could make decisions regarding her care which means they affirmed that he had Terry’s medical power of attorney. The case was complicated by the fact that a malpractice settlement gave the husband a million dollars for her care and $300,000 for his troubles. The article should have pointed out that the patient is allowed to determine how he or she wants to be treated. It would appear that a patient could leave instructions not to have an implanted feeding tube and that would not conflict with the church’s teaching. The decision about ordinary or extraordinary care by the above mentioned Vatican decision does not appear consistent if care depends on where you live.
The “Vatican clarifies stand on key life” article did not appear in the web edition of the Catholic Virginian
St. Bede profile said to ‘fall short’On behalf of St. Bede Parish (Williamsburg), I wish to extend my appreciation for your coverage of our “large and diverse” parish. Whenever a story is told about such a vast community, it is a challenge to mention all the many people and ministries which give witness to the Body of Christ. Interviews and reporting try to capture the “big picture” of what goes on in the life of such a large congregation, but sometimes fall short. One significant component of our parish which should be recognized is our “large and diverse” music ministry. Many talented people are involved in this comprehensive and important element of our Worship under the skillful hands of Neil Kraft, our Director of Music. Our cantors, singers, organists, and instrumentalists offer beautiful leadership at five Masses every Sunday. The Saint Bede music diversity includes our adult chorale, contemporary ensemble, youth ensemble, children’s choir, and bell ringers. Every week dozens of people prepare and rehearse for the Sunday liturgy and their ministry is an enormous blessing whose story should be told. Over 200 people of all ages take part in this diverse musical ministry. It’s important that their dedication and service be recognized within our diocesan family, along with the many others “behind the scenes” in our large parish community.
(Editor: The parish profiles featured in The Catholic Virginian are unable to mention every ministry, particularly of larger parishes like St. Bede’s. The profiles seek to feature organizations or activities which make that particular parish unique and perhaps bring new ideas to other parishes. The Tidewater Intergenerational Orchestra featured in the St. Bede profile is the only such group in any of the diocese’s 152 parishes. The music ministry of any parish plays a vital role in that community.)
Order’s founder is beatifiedFather Basile-Antoine-Marie Moreau, the founder of the Religious Family of Holy Cross, has been beatified. The solemn beatification ceremony took place in Le Mans, France in September. The Sisters of the Holy Cross staffed Holy Trinity School in the Ocean View section of Norfolk for over 50 years. I had the privilege of graduating in 1947 after 12 years and in teaching with the Holy Cross Sisters for 18 years.
Consulting fee omitted in CV articleIn reference to the article by Steve Neill in the October 22 edition concerning the increased offertory campaign, I must have missed the part telling us the cost of the campaign to the diocese. Please tell me and the other readers the fee Steward Consulting is charging.
(Editor: John Barrett, Director of the diocesan Office of Finance, responds: “The cost to do a parish is ordinarily $14,000-plus. The firm (Steward Consulting, based in Great Falls, Va., a division of the Moran Company) agreed to do all 152 parishes and charge $4,500 per parish for only 120 as the others are very small and the firm offered to do them at no cost.” As stated in the interview with Bishop DiLorenzo, reported in the same Oct. 22 issue, the expense of the campaign will be paid for by the diocese, not the parishes.) About Us | Archives | Around | Articles | Columns | Contact Us | Editorial | Hispanic Apostolate | Home | Opportunities | Parish Profile | Shortakes | The Catholic Diocese of RichmondCopyright © 2007 The Catholic Virginian Press. Articles from Catholic News Services, including Fr. Dietzen’s column, may not be reproduced here due to copyright considerations.The Catholic Virginian is a biweekly publication serving the people of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. This website includes some, but not all, of the articles from the print version of The Catholic Virginian.For subscription information Contact Us. |
