Opinion – Page 96 – Madison Catholic Herald

The Catholic press has an irreplaceable role in forming Christian consciences and reflecting the Church’s viewpoint on contemporary issues.

That’s not just my idea. It is what Pope Benedict XVI said in remarks on November 26, 2010, to members of the Italian Federation of Catholic Weeklies, an organization which represents 188 Catholic newspapers.

Despite the crisis in print media today, the Catholic newspaper still has a vital role to play in diocesan communications, the pope said in an article carried by Catholic News Service.

On January 27, 2011

Jane Tarrell

Tell elected representatives to protect unborn citizens

To the editor:

Overnight, it seems, in 1973, abortion became legal. We have looked the other way ever since, convincing ourselves there is nothing one person can do to end it now.

We scream to end destruction of lives in Iraq and in Afghanistan. We ended the war in Vietnam because we protested until someone in Washington listened.

On January 27, 2011February 15, 2022

Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Catholic schools: A+ for America

The United States of America owes a great debt of gratitude to Catholic schools. From the early days of our country, Catholic schools educated the immigrants in this land (along with even some of the Native Americans).

As our country became a nation, Catholic schools continued to provide an outstanding education in both faith and academics to all citizens. Catholic schools have a proud tradition which is carried on today.

On January 27, 2011

Patrick Hardyman

No cause is more important than affirming right to life

To the editor:

In 1983, on the 10th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade and Doe vs. Bolton Supreme Court decisions legalizing abortion-on-demand in this country, President Ronald Reagan wrote an article for the magazine Human Life Review titled “Abortion and the Conscience of the Nation.” I would like to share the last paragraph of this fine article on this the 38th anniversary of Roe and Bolton.

“Abraham Lincoln recognized that we could not survive as a free land when some men could decide that others were not fit to be free and should therefore be slaves. Likewise, we cannot survive as a free nation when some men decide that others are not fit to live and should be abandoned to abortion or infanticide . . . there is no cause more important for preserving that freedom than affirming the transcendent right to life of all human beings, the right without which no other rights have any meaning.”

On January 20, 2011February 15, 2022

Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

It is possible to change minds and hearts on abortion

A young woman walked through the first set of doors at Madison’s Planned Parenthood clinic to register. However, she kept looking back at a person praying on the sidewalk outside the building.

Minutes later, she walked out of Planned Parenthood without ever entering the waiting room, smiling as she left the parking lot in a red truck.

Laura Karlen of Madison’s new initiative, 365 Days for Life, reported this news on the very first day of the new program. Karlen believes a baby was saved that day, promising great things ahead through this new initiative.

On January 20, 2011

Sr. Rosalie Bauer and Mr. Clare J. Landry

Empty playgrounds reminder of children lost by abortion

To the editor:

Picture driving past a school playground during recess or lunch; you are observing the joyful children romping and playing freely! We could take this all for granted and in stride, never realizing that the vacant spots on the playground could have been filled by children who were brutally killed by a planned ABORTION!

This procedure, approved by our Supreme Court in 1973 involving the case of Roe vs. Wade, has unfortunately been legalized for the past 38 years.

On January 20, 2011

Barbara L. Lyons

Society grieves loss of over 53 million children

To the editor:

Thirty-eight years have passed since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion for any reason at any time during pregnancy in all 50 states. In spite of the passage of decades, January 22 will forever be regarded as a day of infamy and pain by millions of Americans.

Over 53 million American unborn children have lost their lives in that time span to abortion. Untold numbers of mothers, fathers, grandparents, and family members have been devastated by the loss of a child in this despicable manner. They are left scarred and in pain.

On January 20, 2011

Music minister

Showing appreciation to parish music ministers

To the editor:

A funny thing happened yesterday after Mass. I was packing up to leave and a lady approached me. She said “thank you” and slipped a bill into my hand.

I said “thank you” and she headed for the door. Thinking I had just made an easy $10 or $20, I looked down to see a $100 bill. In my over 40 years of music ministry I never had this happen before.

On January 20, 2011

Family of Msgr. Thomas Campion

Thanks from the family of Msgr. Thomas Campion

To the editor: […]

On January 13, 2011February 15, 2022

Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

In aftermath of Tucson shooting: We must work for respect for life and civility in public discourse

We’ve all heard the old adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” This saying was meant to convey the idea that people cannot really hurt you by what they say, only by what they do physically.

As we reflect this week on the mass shooting in Tucson, Ariz., that killed six people and wounded 14 others, we realize that both parts of that saying are true. Physical violence, of course, does cause harm. But words can also hurt people and perhaps lead to physical violence.

We don’t know the full story behind why the alleged shooter, Jared Lee Loughner, decided to shoot U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords while she was meeting with some of her constituents outside a supermarket in Tucson.