A positive approach
Recently, current issues were addressed in the Hawaii Catholic Herald. One dealt with racism and the other in promoting interfaith dialogue at Chaminade University.
It seems to me that in order to make a lasting impression on our Catholic young people they need to be taught to be radical Catholics. This would entail bringing back the spiritual masters’ books and writings and making them a part of the curriculum or subjects for a webinar. It is my opinion that if they are taught to imitate the saints, they will have a heart full of love for God and his church and they will then grow in sanctity. They will learn to love and respect others, especially others different from themselves.
There will be no further need to teach about the problems of racism or about tolerance. It would be a positive approach.
Any books by St. Francis de Sales, St. Alphonsus de Liguori, St. Louis de Montfort and St. John Vianney would be very beneficial and highly recommended, especially good biographies of those saints.
Esther C. Gefroh, Honolulu
Thanks for McCarrick story
Many thanks to the editor of the Hawaii Catholic Herald for carrying the recent Catholic News Service article about the McCarrick Report which covered the actions taken and not taken by church authorities with respect to former Cardinal McCarrick’s sexual abuse of those under his influence and control. It would be easy to only report “Happy News” thus avoiding criticism but it would also be boring and a disservice to your readers.
In covering issues of faith, the Herald has been brave enough to include several excellent articles ranging from those about the federal governments’ taking immigrant children away from their parents and keeping them in cages to the presidential election. After all, the definition of catholic, with a small “c,” includes universal, all-inclusive and broad in sympathies, tastes or understandings. Bravo and keep up the good work.
John Priolo, Pearl City
Uncharitable things
I was so saddened by our Catholic Christian brothers and sisters who saw fit to write such uncharitable things about our president-elect, Joe Biden. There was nothing wrong with your depiction of a 50-50 split among Catholics in the voting. Now that it’s over, it’s time to mend, reach out to each other as true brothers and sisters. We need to accept the results of the most secure, fair voting in our history and move on like we always have in past elections.
Biden is not perfect, and neither are we, but he is one of our own, loving our Lord and Savior, attending church weekly, carrying his rosary beads and praying. My wife and I vote for the person(s) who show the ideals and character traits that we try to instill in our children: honesty, caring, compassion and good Christian values.
Your writers keyed on one point, anti-abortion, and condemned Joe Biden. They saw this as the main issue without looking at the atrocities our current president is guilty of. So sorry they couldn’t or didn’t look at the whole picture.
Peter A Volpe, Pahala
Empathy and charity
I read with dismay the many letters written criticizing your picture of Biden following the election.
Aside from the many factual errors and inconsistencies, I was extremely disappointed by the fact that so many letters could have been written by residents of Hawaii.
I have always been impressed by the wonderful religious tolerance that exists here. My earliest recollection was attending Catholic Mass at Temple Emanu-El while our parish church was being rebuilt. Currently our special needs daughter each Sunday attends both Catholic Mass with some of her friends followed by services at the Methodist church with some of her other friends.
This is what Hawaii is all about, and it is what I believe Pope Francis and Saints Damien and Marianne would espouse. This empathy and charity are what marks us and makes us what we are.
Let us pass it around! I think we call it Aloha.
Art Mori, Honolulu
Multi-faith United States
Joe Biden was running for president of a multi-faith (and no faith) United States of America. His personal views stop at his oath to follow the Constitution.
Emily Bott, Kihei
Somewhat disheartened
I found it somewhat disheartening reading the Letters to the Herald (Nov. 27) critical of the President-elect Joe Biden. The coverage of President-elect Biden was OK with me. I wonder if any of the letter writers have seen and spoken with President-elect Biden after Mass. I did at the Kaneohe Marine Base chapel several years ago. I believe he is against abortion like the late and beloved Gov. John A. Burns.
Pope Francis, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and numerous others have expressed their congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden. I’m not aware of Pope Francis criticizing Biden on moral grounds.
The present president appears to use religion to gain favor with some. President-elect Biden is more than a “Catholic by name” only. He is a compassionate human being who cares for others, and takes the time to attend Mass — which is better than 75% of baptized Catholics. I wish he and VP-elect Harris the best. Let’s pray for them and the outgoing president.
Lawrence M.O. Chun, Kailua
Not good. Very good
I offer some ideas that should be mixed in with the concerns about abortion and Joe Biden. Admittedly, Joe Biden is pro-abortion as are Democrats in general. Not good. Republicans are against abortion. Very good. Republicans do nothing to stop abortions; just proclaim their opposition. Democrats do things that can lessen the number of abortions because they care about the poor and marginalized. I once read, long ago, a study that asserted 85% of abortions happen because of poverty. Republicans do little to overcome the obvious poverty in our country.
Therefore, I approve of Joe Biden and voted for him. I cannot support just blowing hot air around in so-called opposition to abortion. I approve doing something about solving the issue.
Marianist Brother Thomas Spring, Cupertino, California
