Papal Window
Paul Conrad suggests in his cartoon (Aug. 24) that Pope John Paul II, in firing Father Charles Curran of Catholic University of America, has shut the windows of the Catholic Church opened up by Pope John XXIII.
Yet is is hardly clear that John XXIII wanted to open windows in order to throw out the Ten Commandments. If the Vatican permits Curran to teach in the name of the church, it puts an implicit stamp of approval on infanticide, sodomy or masturbation--activities that Curran seems to think are acceptable.
To return to a homey analogy, John Paul II is not closing a window, but clearing the garbage from a backed-up drain.
KEVIN G. LONG
Milwaukee, Wis.
Long is director of public affairs of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
