Sunday, October 19, 2003
Paper showed disrespectin editorial about the pope
EDITOR:
The unmitigated arrogance and ignorance of the editorial staff of The Vindicator can no longer be denied.
Your editorial on the occasion of Pope John Paul's 25th Anniversary, "Pope's failing health detracts from 25-year service to man," was uninformed, inappropriate, insensitive and just plain rude.
The pope is a public figure with enormous responsibility. It's fair, I suppose, to speculate about how his health affects his ability to lead a church of 1 billion followers. It's also reasonable, at least from a secular perspective, to suggest that the pope should think about retiring. But did you need to do it on the occasion of his jubilee, a joyful, inspiring event for the pope and his followers? Couldn't you just, at least for the moment, congratulate the man and celebrate his accomplishments? And on this occasion do you really need to dredge up again the painful question of sexual abuse and artificially impose it on the story? What's that all about? What's your real agenda here?
The editorial headline, "Pope's failing health detracts from 25-year service to man," was especially offensive. Do you really believe that? Would you say the same of an elderly, frail father of a family as his children and grandchildren gathered to celebrate his birthday: "Father's failing health detracts from his loving care of the family"? Or would you not rather recognize and welcome the gifts that can be shared by a revered elder? The point is that, even in his frailty, and perhaps because of it, the pope continues to teach us about courage. He demonstrates the transforming power of life and love. The world needs to watch the pope, listen and learn.
You say that, "by being unable to clearly communicate his [the pope's] ideas, the faithful and others, especially world leaders, aren't receiving the full impact of his message." Nonsense. Although his disability has affected his enunciation, his consistent voice on behalf of peace, justice and human rights is as strong and clear as ever. No one mistakes the meaning of the pope's words or misses the impact of his convictions. Your assessment of the pope's leadership is so wrong! (And, by the way, if his leadership has been compromised by his failing health, why is his personal involvement in America's sex abuse scandal so important to you?)
We teach children not to ask impertinent questions or make disrespectful observations about others. Apparently, the editorial staff of The Vndicator hasn't learned that basic rule of common courtesy.
Your comments about the pope, clearly intended to ruin a milestone and joyful celebration, are mean-spirited, irreverent and insulting. You owe the Holy Father and your Catholic readers an apology.
THOMAS J. TOBIN
Bishop of Youngstown
If Ohio approves gambling,bring on the big casinos
EDITOR:
Your editorial Tuesday about gambling was far off the mark. Indian casinos and racetracks with slots are a joke. If gambling comes to Ohio, it should be big casinos. They have no reason to cheat or have corruption. These casinos are entertainment casinos first to draw people and have a lot of employment.
You also talked about the problems related to gambling. The gambling is here on the Internet, Seneca Indian casino, Mountaineer making one person rich, Greektown making Michigan rich and Atlantic City 45 minutes away by air. The problems are here; just open your eyes. But we get no benefits.
BOB SLOVKOVSKY
Youngstown