Editorial

Most of us think of the destruction of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, as an attack on the United States. Of course it was, but did you know that the majority of people who worked at the World Trade Center were not Americans?

The World Trade Center lived up to its name. Businesses there came from throughout the world, as did their employees. So in effect, the 9-11 terrorists not only attacked the United States but also the entire world.

Yet, it seems as if we Americans have shouldered most of the responsibility for fighting terrorism ourselves. It reminds me of an old western movie, where a lone gunman rides off to hunt the "bad guys" by himself. We still seem to carry the vestiges of that go-it-alone mentality today.

World interdependence. As we mark the second anniversary of 9-11, we should remember the interdependence of our world. The Internet, cell-phones, and faxes can bring us in touch with people in almost every corner of the globe instantly. Television and video communication allow us to see people and places throughout the world.

We must increase our understanding of people on our planet. The more people get to know, understand, and respect each other, Pope John Paul II reminded us recently, the more able they will be to "disarm the violent and call them back to reason and respect."

The Holy Father encouraged religious leaders to increase efforts to recognize each other as children of the same God and to promote mutual respect. "The world needs peace," he said. "With the weapons of prayer and dialogue we will walk on the path toward the future."

Seek help. Much more needs to be done to bring humanitarian assistance to troubled areas. The U.S. cannot do it alone. We must seek help from the United Nations and many more countries to help bring stability, peace, and justice to unstable, war-torn regions of the world.

We must work tirelessly for peaceful solutions to international disputes, for democratic elections and self-determination in all countries (especially in Iraq), and for dialogue, dialogue, and more dialogue in the Middle East.

What we can do. Although we can't all be part of the international peace process, we can read, study, and increase our understanding of the world. Some of us may have the opportunity to meet people visiting here or travel to other countries to broaden our knowledge.

And above all, we can continue our personal and communal prayers for peace and justice in the world. In Madison, a Sept. 11th remembrance candlelight vigil will be held Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at James Madison Park on E. Gorham St. The vigil is sponsored by the Madison Area Peace Coalition, which encourages us to honor all those who perished on Sept. 11, 2001 and since then.

The U.S. has been a haven for people from throughout the world who sought life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We must not forget those ideals as we work with people in other countries to build a just and lasting peace.

Mary C. Uhler, editor

Mailbag

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To the editor:

A recent letter in the mailbag asked why the ceremony for installation of our bishop was done at St. Raphael Cathedral instead of the Kohl Center or someplace bigger. My understanding is the bishop is supposed to be installed at the diocese's cathedral according to canon law set up by Rome.

George Boerke asked in a letter published Aug. 28th if he was the only one bothered by the disgraceful way people dress at Mass. I assure you many of us do not understand why priests allow this type of dress to go unmentioned. The lack of respect for the Eucharist is being over looked by many. When our children cannot see that respect for our Lord in the Eucharist, then they begin to believe Jesus is not really there.

Last it is so nice to see Bishop Robert Morlino lead the rosary outside the abortion clinic. What an example he set for all of us to follow.

Dale Lawinger, Mineral Point

Editor's note: The Code of Canon Law says ordination as a rule "is to be celebrated in the cathedral church; for pastoral reasons, however, it can be celebrated in another church or oratory." Bishop Morlino had previously been ordained a bishop, but this canon could apply to his installation site as well.

Problems with illegal immigrants

To the editor:

This letter is in response to a column by Fr. Peter Daly (Aug. 28) [print edition only] on immigrant workers. More than 52 percent of the people of this nation want illegal and excessive immigration to the U.S. stopped and that percentage is growing.

The hypocrites are those who hire non-citizens at much lower wages and the so-called do-gooders who help them. Later the non-citizens will complain of mistreatment.

There is plenty of work to do in their countries. Their many wealthy people should finance the projects from their oil profits, etc. For starters they should get plumbing and sanitation systems.

Mexicans should spread out in their large area instead of piling up at the U.S. border and in crime-ridden Mexico City.

Central America is too small to be chopping down trees to raise excessive food exports for the U.S. They need family planning because their birth rate is too high for their small area.

Many illegal workers in the U.S. are paid under the table and pay no taxes. Those who work for less pay less taxes and require more services. Those who employ them shift the burden of those services, such as health care and education, to citizens while at the same time putting other citizens out of a job.

Illegal immigrants have many deadly traffic accidents and drive without a license or insurance. Something has to be done about this and soon. They also commit other serious crimes.

Margaret Layden Spangler, Janesville

Archbishop takes courageous stand

To the editor:

Catholics across the U.S.A. should compliment Archbishop Sean Patrick O'Malley of Boston for his recent and courageous statement concerning pro-abortion and pro-choice Catholic legislators. He stated that Catholic legislators who support legal abortion should not receive Holy Communion. In other words, Catholic legislators who support legal abortion should stay in their pews during Communion time.

Charles J. Sippel, Waterloo