Chris Lee

Fr. Jim Murphy, in his letter in the December 25 edition of the Catholic Herald, argues that Catholics ought not participate in the U.S. military at this time because that participation “would likely involve immoral activity.”

He cites papal and other ecclesiastical opinions that our invasion of Iraq was not moral, conditions at the Abu Ghraib prison, and the holding of people at the Guantanamo Naval Base, the rendition program, the condition of veterans returning from the theater of combat, the existence of nuclear weapons, and the shear size of annual military spending.

On February 5, 2009

Chris Lee

Catholics should call for end to current conflicts

To the editor:

We Catholic Christians have the right, some would say the responsibility, to disagree with our government based on the teachings of Jesus and of the Church. That is why I agree with Fr. Jim Murphy’s December 25 letter and his belief that, considering current conditions, military service should be rejected at this time.

On February 5, 2009

Chris Lee

U.S. armed forces are fighting the ‘good war’

From one Murphy to another:

I want to respond to Fr. Jim Murphy’s letter to the editor printed in the December 25 issue of the Catholic Herald:

On February 5, 2009

Chris Lee

Bishop Morlino’s statement to UW Hospitals Authority Board

Editor’s note: The following is Bishop Robert C. Morlino’s statement to the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority Board meeting of Wednesday, Feb. 4, at which they were to discuss the topic of providing, along with the UW Medical Foundation and Meriter Hospital, second term abortions at the Madison Surgery Center. The statement was to be read by Msgr. Daniel Ganshert, vicar general for the Diocese of Madison, as the bishop was unable to leave the National Catholic Bioethics Center meeting in time for the meeting.

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen of the UW Hospitals and Clinics Authority Board,

Thank you for affording me the opportunity to offer a few words in regard to your discussion on whether to allow for second term abortions at the Madison Surgery Center. I am sorry that I am unable to be here in person, as I am currently concluding a meeting of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, of whose board I am chair.

On February 5, 2009

Chris Lee

Abortions could provide eggs for research

To the editor:

See www.randymelchert.com for videos from the January 31, 2009, pro-life rally in Madison. He also has a link to Mayo which describes the second trimester development. At 16-weeks girls have millions of eggs forming in the ovaries. At 22-weeks girls have uterus and ovaries in place — complete with a lifetime supply of eggs.

On February 5, 2009

Chris Lee

Protest cards are good, but take best action by voting

To the editor:

I applaud and support Bishop Morlino’s efforts to prevent President Obama’s promise to sign the proposed “Freedom of Choice Act” by providing protest cards.

On February 5, 2009

Chris Lee

We should support U.S. troops serving in Iraq

To the editor:

Fr. Jim Murphy’s letter to the editor in the December 25, 2008, issue of the Catholic Herald, advocating that Catholics reject support and participation in the U.S. military, is a blow to all Catholics that have family serving our country.

On January 29, 2009

Chris Lee

Conversion happens: One voice can make a difference

Editor’s note: This commentary was written for the bulletin of the Cathedral Parish in Madison for the weekend of January 24 and 25.

What a great feast it is that we celebrate today! Saul, the most ardent persecutor of the Faith, becomes St. Paul, its greatest proponent. That is really something to celebrate . . . for a number of reasons.

For one thing, this feast is a tremendous sign of hope for the Church as she travels through history. In this world, the Church has enemies. But we should look at each of them with the awareness that here may be the next Saul: the greatest enemy can become the greatest ally.

On January 29, 2009

Chris Lee

Supporting ‘life always’ at Edgewood High

MADISON — A group of students from Edgewood High School (EHS)were among the tens of thousands who gathered in Washington, D.C., on January 22 for the 36th annual March for Life, reflecting a growing awareness at the school for the need to address the issues of respect for life.

“It’s important for us to be faithful citizens and to advocate for life and fairness,” said Tonya Bubolz, a religious studies teacher at EHS and a moderator of two relatively new activities at the school dedicated towards raising awareness of life issues.