Bishop McFarland and Sister Sarah

As a concerned parishioner of St. Angela Merici in Brea, I am replying to your article headlined “The Show-Me Prelate” (Oct. 30).

I have been a member of this parish for at least 20 years. I was most surprised that our internal dissensions were aired in the newspaper.

I do not always agree with Bishop (Norman F.) McFarland, but I was upset by the attack on him in this article. Bishop McFarland did not transfer Sister Sarah (Shrewsbury); the religious order to which she belongs did.

Bishop McFarland, in suggesting her transfer, did what her superiors should have done years ago. Religious orders transfer their principals every 7 or 8 years.

You did not do a good job of investigative journalism or you would have found that many parishioners were in agreement with Sister Sarah’s transfer. The “Munchkin Mass” and other liturgical celebrations in our church made many feel that our church had become a stage for theatrics--bad theatrics at that. Religion at St. Angela’s was becoming a “folk religion.” If (reporter Lynn) Smith knows church history, she knows that “folk religion” has not and cannot endure.

Regarding altar girls, Bishop William Johnson, our first bishop, informed all parishes that they were not to have altar girls.

MARY HOMME

Fullerton