To the editor:
I was proud of Mary Uhler’s stance that we should work for stronger gun control.
Last week’s Mailbag had two letters refuting gun control positions. I would guess that both men are strong in their faith and I would guess that neither supports abortion. But both letters troubled me in that they reminded me of the abortion lobby’s arguments.
Q My mother just moved into a lovely condominium. It is not designated as an “over 55 community,” however many older adults live there.
Lately, my mother has been telling me about some instances when she hears the doorbell ring very late at night or very early in the morning.
She is careful not to get up, is vigilant about making sure the door is locked, and has a home security system sign posted by the front door. There is no evidence that someone is trying to break in or that anything is disturbed.
She has not notified anyone and insists she is fine. I don’t want to doubt her, but is this a cry for attention? I find it difficult to believe that anyone would just ring someone’s doorbell and take off.
When I hear about someone being murdered, I say a prayer for the victim — and for the perpetrator.
Someone might question my praying for someone who has committed a crime. However, there are many circumstances that lead to that act of violence against another person.
We don’t know everything involved in that person’s life. Sometimes there may have been a lifetime of abuse he or she endured. There may have been mental illness leading to that act of violence.
Although we may be tempted to call only for justice for the victim — an “eye for an eye” — we also have to consider the possibility of forgiveness and healing for the murderer.
Editor’s Note: The following is an update on an ongoing situation with Fr. J. Gibbs Clauder, who has been removed from ministry since 1999. Brent King, spokesman for the Diocese of Madison, issued the following statement on March 30.
MADISON — There is no place in the priesthood for those who would abuse a child, regardless of when the crime was committed. We as a Church and as a diocese have promised appropriate recognition, precaution and reporting, with regard to sexual abuse of minors and we renew that promise. We, herein, offer the public some background and an update, regarding Fr. J. Gibbs Clauder and the charges being brought against him:
