Look for silver lining in tragedy's clouds

Look for silver lining in tragedy's clouds
EDITOR:
I hesitate to write this letter for the fear of doing so just to see my words in print. But, as many have done, the need to express one's feeling, to vent, to share with others drives me to put down these words. There is an old clich & eacute; that says there is a silver lining to every cloud. It is hard to apply that to the recent happenings in our country, but I have seen some. Let me try to share some of those.
1. Unification: Countries and political leaders throughout the world sharing their grief with the citizens of the United States of America and pledging support in the fight against terrorism. This includes countries that are directly within harm's way.
Religious individuals of all beliefs have come together, putting aside their differences and praying together for and answer and the strength to challenge our shared enemy.
2. Charity: The world in the past has been used without consideration. One now can really understand what charity is all about. The outpouring of donations, the willingness to help has been tremendous and at a level which has never been seen before.
3. Resilience: One cannot ever question the strength of the American people, especially the citizens of New York. If ever one questioned whether Americans would stand up for this country, the question has been answered and will continually be tested, and I believe will pass with high marks.
4. Young Americans: While watching news reports, I saw the huge Navy ships getting ready to leave their safe harbors for uncertain travels. I saw the sailors standing on the ships, upright and proud, hiding their fears, but ready and willing to go, so we back home can feel safe.
At that time, a news reporter stated that the sailors' average age ranged from 18 to 21. If this doesn't say something about our youth and if this doesn't make us feel proud of our youth, I don't know what it will take.
I realize that so many at this time are trying to understand and put their shattered lives back together, and we, who were not directly affected, will never fully understand their feelings
But as I stated above, there is, in a strange way, a silver lining to this dark horrible cloud. We will rise above this tragedy a stronger, a more understanding and a more unified world.
JOHN P. LESEGANICH
Canfield
Father Witt speaks only the truth, no matter what
EDITOR:
I was present for the interview your reporter had with Father Witt on Sept. 22. Many now in letters to the editor are accusing Father Witt of saying things which he never said. Could this be the result of your reporter going on so about Jerry Falwell and his teaching?
Over one hundred words were devoted to Mr. Falwell in the interview of Father Witt. Does this not suggest an identification attempt of the two in peoples' minds? Is it just to do that?
What did Father Witt say? "God does not will evil, but He allows it."
The Catechism of the Catholic Church #311 states "God is in no way, directly or indirectly, the cause of moral evil. He permits it, however, because he respects the freedom of his creatures and, mysteriously, knows how to derive good from it: 'For almighty God ..., because He is supremely good, would never allow any evil whatsoever to exist in his works if He were not so all-powerful and good as to cause good to emerge from evil itself.'"
That is the official teaching of the Catholic Church taken from the Catechism of the Catholic Church approved by Pope John Paul II on Oct. 11, 1992.
MARTI RUNYAN
Girard