Wednesday, April 9, 2003

This is in response to Mr. Krehbiel's letter regarding Muslims and the Vatican. I would like to educate Mr. Krehbiel on the Catholic Church.

He was correct on one point he made, and that is that the Vatican embraces Muslims as brothers. Just as we should all embrace all peoples of all religions as brothers in Christ.

The Vatican does not oppose human freedom, freedom of religion, thought, or any other God-given right. Quite to the contrary, the Church teaches exactly the opposite.

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it states, "The right to the exercise of freedom, especially in moral and religious matters, is an inalienable requirement of the dignity of the human person."

As for unreasonable sacrifices, Christ made the greatest sacrifice for us and any sacrifice less than that can certainly not be considered "unreasonable."

When a priest chooses to enter the priesthood, he is well aware of the vow of celibacy and he chooses to follow this calling of his own free will. This is not a calling that is forced on him.

I won't even respond to the smear about child molestation that has nothing to do with sacrifices. The Vatican has never taught that Mary and the Pope were "co-gods." Not even remotely close.

The church does not worship Mary. The Church does however give her all the honor deserving of her as the chosen Mother of Jesus Christ. The Pope is given the utmost respect as the Bishop of Rome, seeing as how he was given this position (handed down through the years) as the leader of the Catholic Church by Jesus.

Both of these facts can be found in your Bible if you would take the time to read it and educate yourself.

Pat Stressel

Fayetteville