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MAIL BAG  LETTERS FROM READERS

March 3, 2009

MAIL BAG  LETTERS FROM READERS

Bishop’s words, actions disrespectful to Catholics

I continue to be amazed by Bishop Joseph Martino.

First, let me say I believe the changes and closures in the diocese were necessary. Whoever was appointed bishop of the Scranton Diocese would have found it necessary to reorganize for the survival of the parishes, and it should have been started years ago.

I am interested in intellectual freedom. This is not the early 1900s, and the faithful are not waiting for their thoughts and opinions on all matters to come from the pulpit or the chancery. Our blindly led great-grandparents have been replaced by an educated body that has been taught to think, to examine issues and to be open-minded to the world. The world inhabited by today’s Catholics is no longer defined by the immediate neighborhood or areas that can be reached for 5 cents on public transportation.

For far too long our immigrant ancestors waited for their priests to tell them what to think, because that was the way it was. This is no longer true.

Groups, organizations and countries that demand that all things not supported by the leader are to be condemned must be avoided.

Discussions and interactions help everyone to grow and assist in learning to love your neighbor. At a time when church membership is dropping and the world is calling for diverse groups to interact and learn mutual respect, we should not revert to closed-mindedness.

This bishop has verbally chastised an institution of higher learning for presenting a speaker whose personal choices are contrary to the church’s teachings. The speaker was not invited to proselytize for his lifestyle but to speak about President Obama.

Misericordia University, under the guidance of the Sisters of Mercy, has for decades strengthened the faith and Christian values of this area. The mission supported by this institution is healthy and successful. Thinking, informed individuals who make conscious choices to support a body of thought are stronger than a group that has been bullied, insulted and pressured into following blindly.

Despotically criticizing this institution is just another example of the bishop’s disrespect for the Catholic community.

News of judges’ dealings spreads far and wide

Recent news articles about a source who purportedly can connect former judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan to reputed mob figure William D’Elia made it all the way to Baghdad, Iraq, in less than 24 hours. My husband is currently deployed there.

My, how bad news seems to travel so fast when you least desire to read about it.

What a sad state of affairs; these two, disgraced judges have become infamous worldwide for their criminal behavior. How can others expect justice from America if we cannot even deliver it for our own citizens?

County needs plan to counter financial burden

When the vast number of financial settlements from the judges’ scandal come payable and the aggressively growing future obligations of the Luzerne County Retirement Fund begin to heavily draw down on Luzerne County’s investment reserves, the county will be forced into a period of hyper-taxation with eminent insolvency.

The county must now quantify the future liabilities, then develop a plan to manage the financial burden of the settlements in such a way as not to start a period of hyper-taxation.

The county must adopt a more sophisticated investment policy and not be held hostage to the current policy. The county must aggressively begin to resolve these situations today or the taxpayer will suffer greatly. This will create a mass exodus from our county.

Bishop should alter stance on House Bill 26

As a graduate of Bishop O’Reilly High School, I am appalled by Bishop Joseph Martino’s stance on the unionization of Catholic teachers and believe it imperative to support state House Bill 26. House Bill 26 would include Catholic and other religiously affiliated schools in Pennsylvania’s labor laws.

While attending Catholic schools I learned the importance of social justice, the idea that everyone in society should not only have equal rights and the right to earn a living wage, but also to form labor unions. I also was made aware of the Catholic Church’s tradition of supporting unions in Northeastern Pennsylvania, most famously the support for coal miners in the early 1900s.

But Bishop Martino doesn’t have to look far into the past to see the Catholic Church’s support for organized labor. “Laborem Exercens,” written by Pope John Paul II in 1981, states, “All these rights, together with the need for the workers themselves to secure them, give rise to yet another right: the right of association, that is to form associations for the purpose of defending the vital interests of those employed in the various professions.”

I also would urge Bishop Martino to change his stance on House Bill 26 and recognize the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers. Bishop Martino’s current union-busting tactics are not new. And although working conditions are not comparable to those in coal mines, steel mills and factories in the early 20th century, the tactics are no better than those used in the past.

Bishop Martino must realize that Catholic schools are the backbone of the Scranton Diocese, bringing up future Catholics in a religious environment. Closing the schools will lead only to more financial and church attendance woes.

Exorcism needed to rid courthouse of corruption

I am humbly asking Bishop Joseph Martino of the Roman Catholic Church to perform an exorcism on the Luzerne County Courthouse. The evil politics and corrupt judges have infected the halls of justice.

Those corrupt judges crucified former Judge Ann Lukota, did everything but nail her to the cross.

Bishop Martino and all religious leaders should declare a National Honesty Mass Day on the courthouse grounds to remove the stains of miscarriages of justice that were carried out in the dark chambers of those corrupt judges.

Writer believes busy kids will have few problems

In the 1960s Wilkes-Barre had a larger population, very busy downtown and things for kids to do.

Kids at the time had popular entertainment spots – such as the Stardust Ballroom (with Joe Nardone and The All Stars), Sans Souci Park, Rocky Glen Park – and not nearly as many problems as we have today.

Some things might have changed for the better, but the majority of it stinks for some reason.

Kids today really don’t have much. We need a local amusement park – not one that is located two hours away.

Back in my day, Elvis was considered bad. Church people came out against him and others. Why is it that with today’s filthy music, lyrics and all, no one seems to be concerned? No wonder a lot of our kids are wired up!

How much worse will everything get before people speak up? When will churches and censors stop the filth?

Take me back to the ’60s.

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E. F. Evans Thornhurst Camille Olive Lewisburg Michael A. Aufiere West Pittston Thom Shubilla Plains Township George J. Kochis Kingston Ron Miller Exeter