Readers See No Need for KCET Apology

As a practicing, albeit sometimes dissenting, Roman Catholic, I strongly disagree with Tim Rutten’s opinion (“KCET Owes Its Viewers an Apology,” Sept. 13). After much thought, I have come to the conclusion that KCET was courageously right to have shown “Stop the Church,” together with Cardinal Mahony’s complete press conference and a decent panel discussion of the issues raised.

Certainly a case can be made that the cardinal’s actions blew this issue all out of proportion and indeed have backfired to a large degree--the program was more widely viewed than it might have been otherwise. Yet, I wonder if Mahony considered the ramifications of his actions prior to jumping in front of the TV cameras.

THOMAS A. GIANCOLI

Los Angeles