| January 28, 2008 | Volume 83, Number 7 | |
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Nuns’ stance on weapons raises questionsI read with interest Barbara Hughes’ article on “Dominican nuns seek to rouse the nation,” in the Dec. 31 issue of The Catholic Virginian. Having not seen the documentary touting Sisters Platte and Gilbert as “prophets,” I can only ask why they seek to rouse the NATIONS (plural). I note that their “disarmament” efforts, while universally futile, are manifest only in the United States? That is because such break-ins and acts of vandalism as described in the article are not only tolerated but constitutionally protected ONLY in the United States. Am I the only reader who noted the irony that the good Sisters “began their journey as peacemakers after they attended a Special Session of the United Nations in 1979 on disarmament?” Let them rouse the nations to disarm, the nations that have always been and continue to be “far more likely to deploy a WMD that cannot be called back.” Oh, yeah, right — the sisters would not be allowed to survive as peace activists in those countries. It is easy to be an activist in the United States. If arrested and charged, an outcome not inevitable by the way, you are guaranteed a fair trial and free legal defense. Your forum moves from the missile site to the courtroom and media and perhaps to jail. Your message isn’t silenced. I’d wager that since 1979 Sister Ardeth has protested hundreds of times more than the number of her arrests (30). These so-called prophets are literally “preaching to the choir” in the United States and are cowardly if they don’t go where the message needs to be heard. Perhaps the United Nations assembly will listen to the sisters. The world has changed drastically and not as Christ intended. This country’s need for defensive weapons is greater than ever.
Retired officer disagrees with NunsThe article in the Dec. 31 issue of the CV about the activities of Sisters Ardeth and Carol, albeit without editorializing, as reported implied approbation of their moral mobility in trespassing on a Strategic Air Command ICBM base and their symbolic and utterly futile attempt to disrupt military equipment. Frankly, such action smacks of 1960s anti-war “grandstanding.” I view their actions as wrong and especially unenlightened in several regards. They violate Jesus’ “render to Caesar what is Caesar’s” concept by failing to understand that “Caesar” in the United States is the American people whose tax resources are employed with the people’s consent in Congress by the military to implement the Constitutional imperative of protection from foreign enemies. As well-intentioned as the Sisters are, they live in unreality. Had we not developed our nuclear arsenal to an overwhelming capability, the Soviets would never have concluded the foolhardiness of considering engaging us in an aggressive nuclear war. The Soviets were, above all, pragmatic. They projected the potential devastation to their country from our superiority and consequently, the deterrent power of those missiles, so offensive to the sisters, kept them and everyone else safe from a nuclear war. It was a tense peace — but it was peace. No reasonable person can ignore the extraordinary power of nuclear weapons, but in World War II, many times more soldiers were killed in Germany and Japan by high explosive bombs than by the two atomic strikes. Any war for whatever cause is, as General Sherman said, “Hell.” I spent years in my military career preparing for and anticipating fighting the USSR. I always knew that this could expand to a nuclear exchange. I clearly grasped what that would mean to soldiers and to the nation. The sisters would be better advised to devote their prayers and activism toward ending the real horrors of today such as Rwanda and Darfur whose tribes are religious but kill innocents with rifles, machetes and hatchets, but not nuclear weapons.
Dominican Sisters deserve saluteA thank you to the Dominican Sisters (Dec. 31st issue) for their work in rousing us to the dangers of our nuclear arsenal. The arrogance of our government in disregarding the non-proliferation treaties we have signed, while at the same time warning other nations not to even try to develop nuclear armaments! I feel that it is Msgt George Cranford who is misguided (Jan. 4th letter) and not the caring, concerned sisters who are willing to put their life on the line to protect us — as the nuclear war-heads — many of which are obsolete — have never done since sixty years ago when two were detonated. They are more likely to destroy our world, not save it. The sisters showed how easy it is to enter the compound of our nuclear “assets.” Now must we spend more money and military to protect these obsolete, dangerous weapons of mass destruction that we think we need to be safe? Is a nation powerful because it has the most nuclear bombs or because its people are good stewards of the world and the people God has created — and they work together for the ultimate good of all! We must lead in dismantling our bombs, keeping our word in treaties we have signed, and work toward true peace with all nations. Let us salute the sisters who are arousing us!
Work for peace needs new focusResponding to your December article “Dominican Nuns seek to rouse the nation,” what is it that makes some good Dominican Sisters have to taunt military assets to get their point across? Obviously, no one listens when they express their compassion in more benign ways. Work toward peace and understanding ought to be favored over that what demands vile weaponry. However, here in our military community where so many of us help build, maintain, protect, and use these weapons, we know the practical realities of living in a dangerous world. Yet, must we have disdain for good hearted activists of peace? Can we show some sympathy? A contradiction one may say. Yes, every problem is indeed a contradiction. I contend the goals of those like the good Sisters in their essence are really not that much different than the goals of us good people engaged with the military. Can we seek a common ground? I believe so. As a start, maybe we can all focus more on demanding our politicians resolve these problems that bring us war instead of peace. Instead of fermenting the stews that demand weapons, and so many lives of our soldiers and innocents, maybe they can place more emphasis solving world disputes by compassion and understanding. Maybe we ourselves can stop the vile talk, throw away the misguided patriotism, and learn to love our adversaries. May we leave our weapons behind as backup, rather than use them as first resort.
Nuns in Appalachia provide inspirationI read with interest the article on “Ministry in Appalachia” in the January 14 Catholic Virginian. I , too, agree it is the most fascinating and beautiful part of our diocese. Ever since 1997, our church (Blessed Sacrament in Harrisonburg) has done mission trips down to Wise county, just shy of the Kentucky border. Our connection in that region is the Advocate Center in Norton and our contacts are two Dominican sisters, Beth Jaspers and Margaret Flynn. We have done everything from install floors, to fix roofs, to framing in a room, to fixing plumbing. The weeks which we go down to Wise are during the summer months and are looked forward to all year. However, we go one or maybe two weeks a year. Sister Beth and Sister Margaret are there 52 weeks a year and have been for over 20 years. Our group loves going down to Wise because of the beauty of the region and for the feeling of doing something good for some people. But, I have to say, one of the main pluses in our 12-year experience in the Wise/Norton area have been Sister Beth and Sister Margaret. Not only do they make us feel welcome, but they represent the people of the region with grace and respect. A huge thank you to both of them… and yes, we are going back for trip 14 in June.
Teacher supports Catholic schoolsMy first reaction to the article in the Jan. 14, 2008 issue entitled, “Investing in the Future: Catholic Schools,” was anger. After all, I am one of the teachers from the deeply hurt Guardian Angel community in Staunton who lost my job when our school closed in July of 2007, so close to the beginning of a new and promising year. After reflecting on the issue a great deal more, I began to take a broader perspective. I would like to thank Bishop DiLorenzo and Annette Parsons for giving the issue of Catholic education such priority. Regardless of whether or not there are schools near each parish, whether a family has school-aged children, or even whether our own local school closed for any myriad of reasons one may suggest, support for Catholic education is a must. Being a former public school teacher in the Washington, D.C. area, I can attest to the great need of every parent and educator to teach the WHOLE person, academic, spiritual and social. Removing the spiritual aspect of a child’s life and then fitting it in as a separate function on a Sunday is not enough. One class a week cannot compare to the ability one has in a Catholic school to permeate everyday situations and encounters with outward expressions of God’s love and guidance. It is needed in today’s society more than ever. Since our school closed, I have started my own tutoring business in my home where, in addition to hourly tutoring, I teach a handful of Guardian Angel children whose parents saw home schooling as the only option. To see these few children succeed in such an environment and to see them incorporate their faith into their day is a blessing. While certainly not ignoring that funding and financial support are a necessity in order to keep Catholic schools alive and flourishing, I pray that all families remember it is just ONE of the ingredients needed for success. Faith, prayer, sacrifice, and dedication are integral pieces of the puzzle. If any of these essential ingredients are missing, however, then overflowing collection baskets and donation checks won’t mean a thing. My parents were champions of Catholic education and I am grateful for their example. I am also very grateful for the priests who were so dedicated to our school in Staunton. Support from local pastors is also a key ingredient in helping parents and community members to realize and fulfill the awesome responsibility of bringing up the future of our Church. Lorraine Petty
Pray, Pay and ObeyPerhaps I’ve missed something. It seems the post-Vatican II Church advertised that it had rejected the pre council paradigm of “Pray, Pay and Obey” and that it substituted a more “democratic” modus operandi in place of the autocratic, top-down management style of former years.
Now that sounds like business as usual; autocratic, top-down management, “Pray, Pay and Obey”. But then, as the adage goes: the more things change, the more they stay the same.
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Then we read in the Catholic Virginian that the Bishop has decreed that all parishes in the diocese in 2008 will conduct a revenue increasing drive, and that the majority of the increased funds generated by the parishes would go to the Bishop, who would decide where these funds would be allocated.