Letters to the Editor

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A ‘thank you’ to women religious who have made a difference while serving others

In light of the Vatican mandate to reform the women religious of the United States who are members of the Leadership Council of Women Religious (LCWR), I wish to stand up and be counted for the ladies. May I offer a heartfelt “thank you” for all the service they have given over the years.

I think we should look back to when the Church was prospering in attendance and vocations, and see who was seated in front of our children.

Yes, it was for me the good Sisters of Providence from Terre Haute.

Today, they work with the poor, the immigrant, the elderly and the marginalized. I see them at the food pantry and the shelter, the nursing home and the office, but not up front anymore.

I miss seeing them up front telling me to stay close to Church and family. They are religious women.

Maybe we should bring them up front again.

- David Whitsett | Indianapolis

As bishop and supreme knight note, now is the time for Catholics to take a stand

The April 27 issue of The Criterion included two articles that I hope every Catholic believer who subscribes read carefully and prayerfully.

Both Peoria Bishop Daniel R. Jenky and Carl Anderson, supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus, addressed the need for Catholics to take a stand concerning the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate, supported by the Obama administration, that forces employers, including religious ones, to provide contraception, sterilization and abortifacients in their health plans.

Bishop Jenky’s and Anderson’s words were strong, controversial and, to some, offensive. They are, nonetheless, powerful and true.

We stand at a point in our history where we must decide if we are to remain “… one nation under God.”

Our secular society tells us we must be politically correct, but our faith compels us to stand against a mendacious government that continues to whittle away at our religious liberties.

The time has come where we must stand firm against those who would take this right away from us.

This is not a time to be for the Democrats or for the Republicans. This is a time to be for what is right—a time to be for God!

- Barbara Cmehil | Indianapolis

Is it immoral for a Catholic business owner to provide insurance required under HHS mandate?

What I have read in both secular and religious newspapers concerning the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) mandate leads me to this question: Is it immoral for a Catholic business owner to provide the insurance required under this mandate?

Surely it is, but it seems no one wants to say so. All the emphasis is on organizations run by the Church.

Why?

- Dolores Francis | Bloomington