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The recent news story in the form of a column by Steve Corbett, printed on the front page of the Times Leader and aired locally on his radio talk show, has blown out of proportion something that was meant to be a teaching opportunity.
That a priest should apologize and a CCD teacher resign for doing something supporting their religious beliefs, due to complaints about a pro-life film shown to sixth-graders, fails to acknowledge what children even younger than sixth-grade are exposed to on a daily basis. I have watched the film “To Be Born,” which can be viewed on YouTube, and believe that Corbett has gone beyond the lines of good journalism by characterizing it as “gruesome, bloody and violent.”
Though I personally would have shown sixth-graders a film showing the development and humanity of the unborn baby through 3D and 4D ultrasound imagery, it is a fact that girls of that age do obtain abortions, and sometimes with the encouragement of a parent.
As for Mr. Corbett, I am offended by his sensationalism of this incident, and even more by his reference to the priest as being “known for his rabid anti-abortion views and dedication to what the church calls ‘pro-life.’” And beyond that, if he could use such disrespectful language about a priest, he could easily use it against me and others who have strong opinions on abortion.
I commend Father Leo McKernan for speaking out on an issue that many others fail to do, and I sincerely hope he has not accepted the resignation of the CCD teacher who showed the film.
Helen Gohsler
Scranton