Pope John Paul’s Message

For Catherine O’Neill (Commentary, Oct. 8) the religion Pope John Paul II heads is “just that, a religion.” Such a characterization certainly gives away the message she intended with her column.

Engaging in a bit of revisionism, she contends that the Vatican is not a state, and that it should not have observer status at the United Nations. Wiser heads determined otherwise many years ago, but when O’Neill is confronted with a Pope who actually speaks out firmly on his beliefs and on the Catholic Church’s teachings, the argument she makes is, suppress the messenger because she disagrees with the message. Well, that’s surely not in line with the human rights she claims to defend but accuses the Vatican of ignoring.

O’Neill is also wrong when she argues that the same rights afforded to the Vatican should be granted to the world’s other major religions. No one has denied any rights to those who believe in Judaism or Islam simply because the Pope speaks at the United Nations. Israel defends Jews everywhere, including at the U.N., as it certainly has a right to do. And most of the countries that follow Islam make sure their views and interests are protected both at the U.N. and the different conferences that the U.N. sponsors. On the contrary, most Western democracies have secular governments and their leaders do not espouse a particular religious position when dealing with the U.N. It is therefore incorrect to say that the other religions do not get the same treatment that the Vatican does. They may not have “a ring around [their] headquarters,” but they absolutely make sure that their beliefs are taken into consideration at the U.N., as the recent Cairo and Beijing conferences demonstrate.

ALEXIS I. TORRES

Burbank

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* Re “Pope Exhorts U.S. to Welcome the ‘Stranger,’ ” Oct. 6:

The Pope somehow believes, because the U.S. has accepted the world’s tired, poor and huddled masses for so many years, it should continue to do so. Such an idea is outdated, unrealistic and unreasonable--especially as our resources now seem barely able to support those already here.

As part of the world community, the U.S. should grow up; prudently control its borders as other nations do their own, and evaluate, develop and allocate its resources for its citizens’ benefit and the country’s future. It need not and should not take in anyone and everyone who desires merely to be here.

GLEN W. REDMAN

Los Angeles

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* Pope John Paul II, who has previously offered his profound wisdom on the subject of birth control, has now generously shared his thoughts on U.S. immigration policy, which might be succinctly stated as “welcome the multitudes.”

I wonder if he has expressed the same sentiment to the wealthy, Catholic countries of Europe which accept virtually no immigrants. Better yet, as head of a nation-state known as the Vatican, the Pope can invite, and welcome, as many tens of millions of immigrants as he desires.

RIC OBERLINK, Executive Director

Californians for Population Stabilization

Sacramento

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* Pope John Paul II is a compassionate human being and a much-loved spiritual leader. His concern for the poor in the world is admirable (Oct. 7). His admonishment to the world’s rich countries to help, rather than exploit, the Third World is well-taken.

I realize that religious philosophy is not always the most practical way to solve problems and orthodoxy is unyielding. Unfortunately, unless the Vatican alters its stand on birth control, its beloved poor will continue to live with worsening poverty, debilitating disease and premature death.

The exploding world population is the greatest threat to life on this planet with the continuing depletion of natural resources, including our air and water. The rich countries will never be able, or have the political will, to care for the world’s poor.

SANFORD DUROFF

Tarzana

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* Re “A Holy Visit to a Troubled Nation,” by Jonathan Kwitny, Commentary, Oct. 5:

I am a Roman Catholic who is tired of the hypocrisy expounded by the Pope concerning humanity and community. His trip to Denver a few years ago cost more than $4 million, which was subsidized by selling religious souvenirs. Do you have any idea how many poor could be helped by that kind of money?

How can this man put down the United States’ system, our “accumulation of riches,” when he is constantly asking for our money? I believe in the Catholic faith--not in the hierarchy (the Pope, cardinals and bishops) who live in a luxury that is sinful. This is not medieval times when we will blindly follow the old adage “do as I say, not as I do.”

LUCILLE FREER

Garden Grove