Category: Opinion

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

‘Little saint’ reveals power of forgiveness

It was a privilege for my husband John and me to serve as part of the honor guard as the relics of St. Maria Goretti were venerated at the church named for her in Madison.

Members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in the Diocese of Madison volunteered to stand watch during the veneration from 9 a.m. on October 16 to 5:30 a.m. on October 17. October 16 happened to be the birthday of Maria Goretti, who was born on October 16, 1890, in Corinaldo, Italy.

Venerating the relics

Thousands of people of all ages waited in line at St. Maria Goretti Church to see the relics of this special saint.

I saw much reverence — and even some tears — as young and old alike came forward and touched the casket with their hands and placed Rosaries, prayer cards, pictures, and Bibles on it.

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Terry Hansen

Climate change is a moral issue

To the editor:

Despite criticism from some politicians, the reason that it is appropriate for Pope Francis to call for action on climate change is because it is a moral issue.

In his book, A Perfect Moral Storm: The Ethical Tragedy of Climate Change, Stephen M. Gardiner writes that, although climate change is usually discussed in scientific and economic terms, “the deepest challenge is ethical.”

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Dodie Weberpal

How about spending more time with Jesus?

To the editor:

What an inspiring and wonderful experience we had with Pope Francis. How amazing to see the thousands who traveled many miles and waited hours for even a glimpse of the Holy Father as he drove by.

Yet isn’t something wrong when we have Jesus, Himself, present on our altars for Adoration and the majority of us do not stop our “busy” lives for even an hour for a personal visit with Him?

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Saving lives — one baby at a time

Pro-life individuals and organizations are working to change laws and public opinion, and they are making a difference in our state and across our nation.

Wisconsin experienced over a 10 percent decline in abortions in 2014, continuing a trend of fewer abortions during the past five years.

One way this has happened is that lives are being saved — one baby at a time — thanks to the commitment of pro-life pregnancy centers and volunteers.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Catholic Charities strengthens families

Pope Francis talked often about the family during his visit to the United States. Of course, his primary reason for traveling to our country was to attend the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.

It’s obvious that Pope Francis really understands the realities of family life. He threw away his script at the Festival of Families in Philadelphia and talked candidly about family life. He said, “Families have difficulties. Families — we quarrel, sometimes plates can fly, and children bring headaches. I won’t speak about mothers-in-law,” he said.

“However, in families, there is always light” because of the love of God’s son, Jesus Christ,” he added.

As one of those mothers-in-law — and having one myself — I know there can be challenges. But I also remember that Pope Francis praised grandparents who bring so much wisdom and a sense of history to family life.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Holy Father gives us some homework!

This past week, many of us enjoyed watching and listening to Pope Francis as he visited the United States.

Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, we welcomed the Holy Father into our offices, classrooms, and homes.

I thought the media coverage — including much of the secular media — was outstanding. I even saw Bishop Robert Barron and George Weigel on MSNBC! And what a treat to listen to Fr. Francis “Rocky” Hoffman on Relevant Radio explain details of the papal Masses.

Many themes permeated the talks and homilies given by Pope Francis, including respect for all of creation from womb to tomb, protection of the earth, the importance of marriage and family life, dialogue with those of differing beliefs, and working for justice and peace in the world.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Pray for Pope Francis and World Meeting

This week, I have relinquished much of my space so that we can publish an important letter written by state scientists who support a ban on the use of human fetal tissue in research in Wisconsin.

I encourage our readers to pray for Pope Francis as he visits our country that his message of hope, love, and mercy is well-received.

Pray, too, for the success of the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia (see prayer below). Families are so important and must be nurtured and supported today.

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Millie Bennett

Contact state legislators to support pro-life bills

To the editor:

Pro-life Catholics from across Wisconsin need to act now and contact our state representatives and state senators to support three important pro-life bills:

• Assembly Bill 305 will stop the sale and trafficking of aborted baby body parts in Wisconsin. If you have not seen the recent disturbing videos of Planned Parenthood’s staff harvesting baby body parts after abortions, go to the Center for Medical Progress website and watch all of the videos that have been released so far.

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Six scientists

State scientists support ban on use of human fetal tissue in research in Wisconsin

Editor’s note: The letter published here is from six scientists at the Medical College of Wisconsin who write in support of Assembly Bill 305, the fetal body parts bill being considered by the state Legislature.

Unprecedented attention has been given to Assembly Bill 305 in the Wisconsin Legislature that would restrict the use of abortion-derived fetal tissue for research.

Opponents of the bill, including those in biomedical research, have openly shared arguments against such restrictions. However, we, who are also scientists and doctors, do not share this view. We do not agree that research using human fetal or embryonic tissue from abortions or procedures such as IVF is ethical or a requisite approach for advancing scientific inquiry or preventing suffering.

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Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Putting a human face on the refugee crisis

Editor's View by Mary C. Uhler

One of the saddest pictures I’ve seen recently is that of a three-year-old Syrian boy lying on a Turkish beach. He looks like he’s sleeping with his head turned to one side. But he isn’t asleep; he’s dead.

Catholic News Service, to which the Catholic Herald subscribes, ran the picture of the little boy. However, I decided not to use that picture with this article (I felt it was too disturbing). Instead, I have included another sad picture: one of the boy’s father weeping. Abdullah Kurdi, father of three-year old Aylan Kurdi, is shown crying as he leaves a morgue in Turkey September 3.

The family of Aylan, the Syrian toddler whose body washed up on a Turkish beach, had been trying to emigrate to Canada after fleeing the war-torn town of Kobani.

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