Controversy Over ACT UP Film

I saw the KCET presentation. I watched the deliberate and systematic planning of the disruption of Sunday Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. I listened to the invective voiced toward the Catholic Church in general and to the personal and profane remarks aimed at O’Connor in particular. As I watched I thought of the progress in civil rights in the United States, the growth in sensitivity toward others and how words and acts of prejudice are quickly identified as such. If other minority groups are the victims of hate and violence and their leaders the target of vicious attacks, there is, and rightfully so, an immediate protest and those responsible are quickly condemned.

It seems, however, as though Catholics are an exception. Your editorial about the controversy was placed under the heading “Free Speech Watch.” The placement under that heading is more revealing than perhaps The Times might have wished. A question arises and should be considered carefully: Why is it when other minority groups are singled out and made the targets of anger, hate, ridicule and violence it is considered an act of bigotry and condemned, but when the Catholic Church is the target of anger, hate, ridicule and violence it is considered an issue of free speech and condoned?

FATHER MICHAEL WAKEFIELD

Holy Family Church

South Pasadena