To the editor:
Father Murphy’s letter in the December 25 edition of the Catholic Herald touched on a number of sensitive issues concerning the military.
Category: Opinion
Forming good conscience and doctrine of just war
To the editor:
I want to thank Fr. Jim Murphy for his letter of 25 December, “Catholics should not serve in the U.S. military at this time.” Central to Catholic moral doctrine is that one must form a good conscience, reflecting a prayerful and studied approach to good conduct.
Promote vocations; stop abortion
This week I had several topics for an editorial. Since I couldn’t single out just one topic, I decided to write on two important issues — perhaps more connected than at first glance!
Agree with priest on not supporting the military
To the editor:
I wholeheartedly agree with Fr. Jim Murphy’s December letter that Catholics should not participate in the U.S. military when it is fighting an unjust war in Iraq.
Other ways besides force to promote justice, peace
To the editor:
Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace, empowers and commands us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, be compassionate as God is, avoid judging and condemning others (cf. Luke’s gospel, chapter 6). Does this not seem to be the antithesis of making war or responding to warlike actions of others?
Thanks for timely articles, especially Fr. Dietzen’s
To the editor:
I want to thank you for the nice article “Santa Claus Lives on Forever” by Fr. John Dietzen (Catholic Herald, December 11 issue). It was very informative and interesting. I read it and then reread it two or three times more.
Promote peace in the Holy Land
It was especially distressing to follow news of the escalating conflict between Israel and Palestine during the Christmas season. How sad that the place of Jesus’ birth — the Holy Land — suffers from hostilities that seem insurmountable.
Congress and citizens facing critical life issues in 2009
To the editor:
After January 20, 2009, the U.S. Congress and U.S. citizens will be facing critical issues as follows:
1. American support for China’s coerced abortion policy.
2. Funding for international family planning programs that include abortion.
3. Eliminations of any restrictions on federally funded embryonic stem cell research
Comments on Catholics in military off the mark
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.
Members of Armed Forces preserve freedoms we enjoy
To the editor:
I am writing this in response to an article written by Fr. Jim Murphy. The article was part of your December 25, 2008 edition.
Being a proud part of four generations of a military family, I retired from the USAF in 1982, I found his opinions on the Armed Forces of this great nation to be flawed.