Straight Facts for Story on Gay Catholics

If your staff writer Hank Stuever is going to venture into religious affairs (“They Pray Alone,” Aug. 29) he would be well advised to seek help on some basic religious terms. An infidel is an unbeliever (in this instance, someone who doesn’t believe in the Roman Catholic faith). A sinner is one who breaks God’s law. A grasp of these distinctions would prevent him from saying silly things like: “In the eyes of the Roman Catholic Church these men and women (gays and lesbians) are infidels.”

He is also inaccurate in saying the Church “spurns” them. Christ did not spurn sinners, and we dare not either. But Christ called sinners to repentance, and there’s the rub.

Why is the Catholic Church singled out for attack? In fairness every Christian church that has a regard for the Biblical prohibitions against adultery, fornication and homosexuality should be included.

REV. HERBERT A.

DE SOUZA, S.J.

Beverly Hills