To the editor:
Fr. Jim Murphy’s comments about Catholic participation in military service are off the mark. Service in the armed forces by people of faith is difficult and requires those serving to deal with moral issues.
In the end, however, those who serve take an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States do so in a manner that, although imperfect, is far from immoral. Catholics, in fact, have a daily impact on morality in the armed forces by their participation. Indeed, it is through their participation that wrongs are often righted.
I wonder if Father Murphy would be willing to apply his logic and reasoning to those considering a vocation in the Church in light of recent abuse scandals involving clergy over the past years.
Tom Darcy, CDR, USNR (Ret), Fitchburg