Our Readers Respond-Feb. 1, 2012

Catholic schools are vital
Editor: This year, Catholic Schools Week is observed from Jan. 29 -Feb. 4, with the theme “Faith, Academics and Service.” It is a time to praise all these schools and what they do. On Jan. 23, 2007 the House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution praising Catholic schools for their ongoing contribution to education and for their key role promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for the nation. The resolution said, “The schools produce students strongly dedicated to their faith, families and communities by providing an intellectually stimulating environment rich in spirituality, character and moral development.”

I concur most heartily as a Catholic and a Knight of Columbus.
As such I hope God helps us to continue to keep our Catholic schools vibrant and thriving for these children who are America’s future.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Glen Oaks Village

Voters need to focus on life
Editor: Kathleen M. Gallagher wrote a strongly worded article (TLIC 1/18/12) telling the N.Y. state legislators and the N.Y. voters to reject “The Reproductive Health Act.” This bill would empower non-physicians to perform abortions and allow late-term abortions of viable babies, making New York State the abortion capitol in the U.S.

In November, we Catholic Americans will have the opportunity to vote for a president who will uphold the right to life of every human being from conception to natural death; a president who will respect our conscience rights to do just that. More than any other issue in this election, we have to vote in an administration that will put God first and everything else will fall into place. We will have to answer to God for every vote for someone who will put money and economic stability in front of human dignity, strong family values and the right to life, liberty and justice for all. Let’s not let our freedoms be jeopardized by short sightedness. Without our basic freedoms, America will cease to exist the way we know it today.
Gira Freiberg
Plainview

Catholics must take a stand on life
Editor: I wholeheartedly agreed with Kathleen Gallagher’s commentary “Pro-life citizens must stay the course” (TLIC 1/18/12) but I must add what I feel is so important especially during this election year. We can phone, write and visit our elected officials but unfortunately, they are not listening. We must all take a stand in November and vote out all those who are “pro-death.” The Catholic Church must stand up and defend the unborn not just one day a year in Washington but every Sunday at Mass. The bishops and priests must become proactive from the pulpit and forcefully speak out on the evils of abortion.

The United States has quickly become a nation where abortion is widely accepted as a right for women. It is not too late to reverse this trend but time is running out and by 2014 when the impact of the health care legislation takes holds we may have reached the point of no return.  
Maureen and Kevin Ward
Shoreham

Catholics reaping what they have sown
Editor: I have been greatly distressed regarding the Obama administration’s continuing assault on religious freedom. Having read your editorial (with which I am in full agreement) about the mandate that would require the Catholic Church to cover ‘free’ birth control for their employees (TLIC 1/25), I have concluded that we are only reaping what we have sown.

I know many Catholics who proudly admit that they voted for Obama, even though they knew about his record and stand on abortion. According to Time Magazine (Nov. 2008), “nationally, Obama captured 53% of the Catholic vote.” I am ashamed.

Yes, we are reaping what we have sown. But we have a chance to turn things around. November 2012 is not that far away. Pray for a return to faith and talk to your fellow Catholics. As your editorial stated, we are called to give direct witness to our faith. That includes in the voting booth.
Lucille DeCanio Koch
Seaford, NY