Opinion – Page 85 – Madison Catholic Herald

In the past week we have heard the news that Susan G. Komen for the Cure was withdrawing future grant funding to Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and its affiliates. Then after protests from PPFA supporters, Komen reversed its decision and said PPFA would remain eligible for grant funding.

On its Web site, Susan G. Komen for the Cure says it has “become the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.” This is a worthy endeavor. We do want our society to work for early detection, better treatment, and hopefully a cure for breast cancer.

On February 8, 2012

Paul Stauffacher

Appreciates information on administration’s mandate attacking religious freedom

To the editor:

Thank you for taking the lead in bringing awareness to our Catholic laity regarding the recent Obama abomination in his mandate regarding a ruling that all Catholic entities would be mandated to provide contraceptive and sterilization services that are in direct opposition to the beliefs of our Catholic faith.

What an unbelievable attack on religious freedom as provided for in our Constitution. Our fore fathers are turning over in their graves at this attack.

On February 8, 2012

John Murphy

We should not demean people using food stamps

To the editor:

Recently a Catholic politician, Newt Gingrich, speaking to his supporters called President Obama, the “food stamp President.” This was meant to demean African-Americans as well as the working and non-working poor who need the basics of life.

It just so happens that many more white people are using food stamps to survive than African-Americans or Latinos. Mr. Gingrich needs to be told that we as Catholics do not speak of God’s people in such terms.

On February 1, 2012February 15, 2022

Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Serving the truth with courage: Diocesan newspapers play more important role than ever

Diocesan newspapers represent “significant places of encounter and attentive discernment for lay faithful involved in the social and political arena so that they can dialogue and find convergences and objectives for joint action in the service of the Gospel for the common good.”

On February 1, 2012

Mark John Francis Scott

Let us pray for preservation of gift of religious freedom

To the editor:

Thank you for the December 29 editorial on Faith and Public Life and for coverage the last few months of the recent efforts by U.S. bishops in ongoing defense of religious freedom.

Let us love one another as Jesus loves us, especially by praying in secret and by meditating on Jesus and the Father and their teachings as Mary, Handmaid of the Father and Queen assumed into heaven, meditates.

On February 1, 2012

Dan Hack

Millions spent on churches could help poor people

To Fr. Ken Doyle:

I would like to respond to your answer in the Catholic Herald of January 19. It concerns the $57 million church request.

In our county we are trying to help the homeless who end up sleeping in their cars or under a bridge in a cardboard box. We are doing this with the help of churches, regardless of their denomination.

On January 25, 2012February 15, 2022

Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Impact of Catholic schools felt by Miss America and many other faith-filled graduates

It was so nice to hear the new Miss America talking about the impact of her Catholic school education on her life and the development of her faith.

“My Catholic education has been so important in reach my goals. It gave me my foundation for my faith,” Laura Kaeppeler said in an interview with the Milwaukee Catholic Herald. “I praise God in how he’s rewarded me.”

On January 25, 2012

Jane Tarrell

Right of conscience not protected in health care act

To the editor:

The Affordable Care Act, funded by half the Medicare budget, offers free condoms, free birth control, and free abortion for all ages. The right of conscience is not protected as it was before the legislation.

Medicare defunding will not be felt until after 2012. The Independent Advisory Board of 15 appointed by our president makes all decisions about who gets what and at what age without input from seniors or politicians. The board is also delegated to defund Medicare by another $200 billion in the next decade.

On January 25, 2012

Charlene Tolmie

Pro-life witness helped lead to closing of abortion mill

To the editor:

As we ponder the ramifications of the January 22 Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion 39 years ago, I would like to comment on the closing of the Rockford abortion mill.

This closing would not have been possible without the presence of many faithful pro-life Christians. For over two decades, these valiant pro-lifers have been there praying, witnessing, and pleading with the mothers who walked into the killing center.

On January 18, 2012

Fr. Don Lange

Work for unity with other churches, deeper conversion

To the editor:

We celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from January 18 to 25.

In John 17:21 Jesus prays for unity among his followers, “Father, I pray that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.”