Editorial
Truth Booth: Tells it like it is
In the past, it was obvious by the change in a woman's body that she was pregnant. But the baby wasn't seen until the birthing process.
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The invention of ultrasound equipment changed that. Unborn babies can be viewed in their mothers' wombs throughout fetal development.
Powerful tool. Ultrasound is a powerful tool doctors use to check the growth and development of unborn babies. The ultrasound machine provides a mom and dad with the first pictures of their baby.
Many proud parents show relatives and friends pictures of their babies. They are so happy to see their little son or daughter at this early stage.
Truth Booth. For those who haven't seen pictures from an ultrasound, the Diocese of Madison is sponsoring the Truth Booth at Madison's West Towne Mall during the month of November. "Ever Wonder What's Really Going On in There?" asks a large sign on the booth. "Ultrasound gives a window before birth."
Video monitors on each side of the display show images of actual 4D ultrasounds taken at various stages of pregnancy. They graphically show what happens as the baby develops.
Could change minds. I think if all pregnant women could see an ultrasound of their babies, they would be reluctant to abort them. The Truth Booth shows us that the baby is a baby - not a blob of tissue. It tells it like it is.
A brochure at the Truth Booth also encourages women to call or e-mail the diocese for confidential help during and after their pregnancy.
What a wonderful way to educate the public about the sanctity of life in the womb! Visit the Truth Booth and encourage others to see it.
Mary C. Uhler
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Concerned about effects
of Papilloma Virus vaccine
To the editor:
A lot of discussion has taken place recently regarding the new Human Papilloma Virus vaccine called Gardasil. For those not familiar with this vaccine, it is made by Merck (also the maker of Vioxx) and is intended to help prevent cervical cancer.
A few months ago, the governor of Texas who had received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Merck wanted to mandate all sixth grade girls receive this shot before they enter school. Fortunately, the Texas State Legislature exercised better judgment and voted the governor down.
Before parents rush to vaccinate their young daughters, I would urge caution. After reading the detailed reports on Judicial Watch's Web site located at judicialwatch.org/6428.shtml, I am quite concerned about the long-term impact on girls exposed to this vaccine.
Judicial Watch's comprehensive investigation has revealed there have been 11 deaths and 3,461 adverse reaction reports related to Gardasil. The detailed reports are fascinating to read. Reports showed that some women died while others experienced the following: loss of consciousness, facial palsy/paralysis, Guillian-Barre Syndrome, convulsions, spontaneous
abortions, parathesia, pyrexia, cardiomyopathy, chest pain, thrombosis, Multiple Sclerosis, hives, haemaochezia, dysphagi, Evans Syndrome, asthenia, and the list continues.
There have been 50 adverse reports from Wisconsin alone over the last year since Gardasil has been on the market.
As a mother and grandmother, I urge the parents of Wisconsin to protect their daughters and just say no to Merck and Gardasil.
Mildred Rose Bennett, Janesville
Don't complain; pray for vocations, support priests
To the editor:
Open letter to those who are complaining about the linking of parishes:
How many priests has your parish given the church in the last 20 years? Where were your children when John Paul II was doing World Youth Day? (Denver? Canada?)
Many young priests of today are calling themselves JPII priests. Did you, the lay people, sign up and try to go or start Perpetual Adoration in your parish for vocations? God gives many a call but we need to encourage vocations by prayers.
Instead you worried about the best schools (non-Catholic), the best jobs, and the most money. Now is the time to repent and pray, not complain. Work and pray to keep your churches open and fill the ranks of young seminarians and priests.
Support the few priests we have. God might not look too kindly on us condemning or talking badly about our priests. Help them stay healthy until we refill the ranks of the most noble and ancient profession of the priesthood.
Name withheld upon request
Shouldn't blame Vatican II
To the editor:
These days it seems fashionable to blame Vatican II for every ill in the Catholic Church. In the September 27, 2007, issue of the Catholic Herald, the "Answering the Call" interview [print edition only] attributes this statement to Fr. Donald Francis Lange: "I think we need to get back to pre-Vatican II respect for the priesthood."
What a novel and simplistic idea! Not only does it pass the buck in dealing with the demise of respect in the first place, it implies that, still, nothing concrete really needs fixing in the Catholic church/priesthood. All Catholics should just "flick a switch" and "get back to pre-Vatican II respect . . . "! It ignores the fact that real actions by some real priests, then shoved under the rug by higher clergy, caused much of the disrespect that exists today.
With all due respect to Father Lange, his statement is like saying, "We need to get back to pre-Richard Nixon respect for the U. S. presidency." It isn't going to happen anytime soon. Not until honest, accountable, real people deal with real issues.
Respect will come automatically when it is truly earned by an accountable hierarchy and a constituency that demands it.
Elaine Murphy, Madison
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