Editorial

For more than 32 years, I have worked on the staff of the Catholic Herald. I can honestly say that the past year has brought some of the most challenging news on the local, national, and international levels in the Catholic Church and the world at large.

On Pages 14 and 15 in this week's paper [print edition only] we have included a Catholic News Service summary of the top religious news stories of the year. It is amazing to see everything that happened in 2005. Was this only one year or did it seem longer?

Overcoming tragedies. Although some of the news was bad, I think we can look at many good outcomes throughout the year. This year proved that resiliency, generosity, and depth of faith can overcome many tragedies.

Natural disasters seemed to be happening all year long, from the tsunami to the hurricanes to earthquakes. Our own Dane County area in Wisconsin was hit by tornadoes.

Although we mourn the loss of lives and destruction wrought by these tempests, we can't help but be proud of the outpouring of monetary support and volunteer assistance in our own Diocese of Madison and all over the globe. Generous parishioners in our diocese gave over $582,867 just for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, in addition to other donations.

Cathedral fire. In March, the historic St. Raphael Cathedral in downtown Madison was destroyed by an arsonist's fire [12/22/2005 update on Cathedral future; past articles on Cathedral fire]. There, again, in the midst of tragedy came the outpouring of sympathy and faith, not only from Catholics, but also from many people of other faiths in the Madison community who recognized the significance of the cathedral.

A special moment came when Madison firefighters reverently retrieved the ciborium containing the Blessed Sacrament from inside the smoldering ruins of the cathedral. That picture was memorialized by our diocesan priest-artist, Fr. Gary Wankerl, in a special painting. It is available for purchase, along with free prayer cards (see Page 16 for details [online here]).

Hope for the future. At Easter time, Bishop Robert C. Morlino encouraged the Catholic Herald to publish the picture of the firefighters on the front of our paper with the words: "Christ our light shines in the darkness, a darkness that could not overcome it!" The bishop said we do not always know the full story of what good the Lord will draw out of tragedy, but we must hope there will be some good.

The disasters of 2005 have left destruction, but they have not destroyed our spirits. In some ways, they may have led to a deepening of faith, generosity, and love of neighbor. We can only hope and pray these virtues will continue to grow stronger in 2006. Best wishes for a happy, peace-filled new year!

Mary C. Uhler

Mailbag

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Concealed carry law needed

To the editor:

While you have some points concerning the concealed weapons bill [12/8/2005 editorial], I think you are missing some points, too.

Consider the person who truly can and does have a need for a concealed carry permit, maybe the single mom working a second job who has to close up the mini-mart late evening alone, or the on-the-road small business man who can't afford the Hilton or the Holiday Inn every night.

There are people who have to check property on their own. Wisconsin law says no, no way, period! Isn't their welfare just as important as the welfare of the governor, who I am quite sure has protection and never has to get in such situations?

The news media reports many illegal uses of firearms but it is rare to see a story of someone using one safely to protect their person and/or property. Concealed carry will not turn Wisconsin into a frontier "shoot-out." People who truly have a need for and have a permit hope they never have to use it. On the other hand those carrying illegal weapons are not so slow to use them and no law is going to stop them.

A concealed law can be compared to dangerous drugs - when given by a prescription by a doctor and used accordingly they can save lives; when abused they will kill or cause great harm to those who abuse them.

I feel the governor's veto of the bill is a political move to stay in party lines.

James J. Blum, Glen Haven

Jesus modeled life of peace

To the editor:

Pablo Casals, the cellist, often performed the Nativity story entitled "The Manger." It became a worldwide symbol of peace and brotherhood. At age 93, he said, "We have accomplished marvelous things in space. Yet on earth, we arm against our neighbors. They arm against us. If we are to survive, we must respect each other as brothers and sisters."

Reflecting on the wonder of a baby, Pablo Casals remarked, "We should say to the young: You are unique. There has never been a child like you! Your legs. Your arms. Your cunning little fingers. You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, or a Beethoven. When you grow up, can you then harm another who like you is also a marvel?"

Jesus' birth brought new hope to humanity. Jesus modeled a life of peace. Every time a baby is born, there is new hope of peace for us. Pope John Paul said that children are the treasure and hope of the church.

May 2006 help to bring peace!

Fr. Don Lange, Madison

State wrong to sue FDA

To the editor:

Because of the action of Governor Doyle and Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager, Wisconsin will be first state to sue the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the availability of the morning after pill. This suit alleges the failure of the FDA to unleash the morning-after pill on our state by making it available without a prescription.

The President and CEO of Reproductive Health Technologies, Kirsten Moore, conceded during a forum at the National Press Club that "real world" experience shows that easy access to the drug does not reduce pregnancy or abortion. It would seem that the "real world" shows that easy access to the morning after pill increases promiscuity, and thereby increases the use of abortion.

In addition to praying for our governor, we need to write, e-mail, and call him to encourage him to become a defender of life.

Greg Wagner, Middleton