To the editor:
I was deeply saddened as I read the articles written by Steven Maurice and David Kuhle for the September 30 issue of the Catholic Herald in response to a column by Fr. Peter Daly.
I was especially disheartened by the tone of the articles. They reflected an attitude far-removed from a Christ-centered view of life. A Christ-centered person follows the teaching and example of Jesus — and Jesus tells us to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us, and to love others as Jesus first loved us. It is a teaching that cannot be ignored by a Christ-centered person.
We are called to be forgiving people who remember that Jesus died for all mankind (even Muslims) and that he has forgiven even those who crucified him. Hopefully, remembering his sacrificial love for all mankind will inspire us to pray for the grace to be always ready to be merciful to those who offend us in the same way that the Lord is merciful to us.
Fr. Peter Daly lives in peace with his Muslim neighbors. Instead of criticizing him, we should bless him as Jesus blesses peacemakers, calling them children of God (see Matt. 5:9). Father Daly has chosen the way of love which does not brood over wrong-doing but rejoices in the truth. Love never fails (see I Cor. 13:6,8).
Mary Lynett, Reedsburg