Letters: May 23, 2005

(2 of 3)

One must question the wisdom of electing as the new Pope a 78-year-old man who will probably serve only a few years before dying of old age. Why would the Catholic Cardinals elect someone of advanced age to lead their church? As a former Catholic, I must point out that this practice leaves the church firmly rooted in the past--vehemently opposing contraception, denying women the right to become priests and prohibiting priests from sharing their life and love with a spouse. It makes no sense for the Catholic Church to elect a Pope who is almost 80 years old and is still relying on the ideals of the 1950s.

ELIZABETH WOODS -- Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Rules Are Rules

Andrew Sullivan, in his viewpoint "The Vicar of Orthodoxy" [May 2], seems frustrated that the Catholic Church won't be swayed by those who want it to break with 2,000 years of consistent doctrine. The church, seen theologically as the spouse of Christ, has done what a good mother should do: teach us and guide us on the narrow path. She reminds us the church family is not a democracy and that it is not her job to be our friend. She is our mother--consistent, a little old-fashioned--and she instructs us and gives us shelter on the road to heaven.

CATHERINE BARON -- Morrisville, N.C.

The U.S. has become a moral wasteland in no small measure because we Catholics have done a bad job of forming our conscience and then living in accordance with it. Abortion, embryonic-stem-cell research, pornography and morally offensive "alternative" lifestyles would not have become so entrenched if we gave a hoot about living our faith.

PAUL BUCKLEY -- Bennington, Vt.

As a woman, I take exception to Sullivan's hopelessness for the inclusion of Catholic females in the modern church. I have a fulfilling high-profile job, and I also have a rewarding role in the church. I speak to our parish from the pulpit; I assist each week in serving the Holy Eucharist. Much precious energy is wasted by women fighting to become a priest. They could, instead, use that same energy to do most of the things that a priest does. What is wrong with a few positions in the world belonging exclusively to one sex? Only women give birth to children. Surely that is at least equal to a priestly vocation.

JOANNE BALSHI -- Gwynedd, Pa.

I have been frustrated with the church many times and considered leaving, but I am inspired by the gay parishioners at my church. They are fellow Catholics who have more reason to be angry than I do but whose faith is so important, who love their church so much, that they stay. The new Pope is not going to drive me out. Progressive Catholics need to stay in the church and work harder than ever for change.

CAROL ECKERT -- Tempe, Ariz.

Pressing Tony Blair

I was pleased that columnist Joe Klein mentioned BBC interviewer Jeremy Paxman in his article on Tony Blair's election campaign [May 2]. Paxman's pointed questioning of Blair about the Iraq war is exactly the kind of journalism that politicians hate: relentless pressure for direct answers. Over the years several interviewees have actually walked out of sessions because of Paxman's rigorous approach--the kind of tough-style journalism that the U.S. media need to adopt. They are far too deferential to U.S. politicians and let them get away with misleading answers. It would be a joy to see Paxman grill President Bush and others in his Administration.