Overpopulation

It is heartening to know that Pope John Paul II recognizes a “progressive decline in the quality of life” when he sees it (“Pope Warns of Global Ecological Crisis,” Part A, Dec. 6). But the Pope steadfastly refuses to see the connection between “masses of people living in conditions of misery” and religious resistance to simple contraception in Catholic Third World countries--resistance which he alone can change.

Fourteen million children under 5 years of age die each year from malnutrition and related illnesses. One word from the Pope might do more to alleviate their suffering than all the private, governmental and United Nations family planning programs put together.

BARRY E. SHANLEY

Montrose