Pope’s Health

“John Paul II and the Throne of St. Peter: Till Death Do They Part?” (Commentary, Jan. 12) is an expression of Richard P. McBrien’s obvious ideological disposition, a disposition only thinly disguised by a posture of objective analysis of the health of the holy father and the difficulties associated with a potential resignation.

Father McBrien brings up various rumors concerning the health of John Paul II, which, if all true, should lead to only one conclusion. The real point, though, comes with the revelation that the pope, in his presumed incapacity, is being influenced by ultraconservative groups. (As if this papacy has thus far been marked by liberalism.)

Probably the most appropriate comment by O’Brien comes at the very end, where he states that the decision concerning the pope’s resignation “is a matter for himself and for God.” Why don’t we just leave the matter between the two?

JACK KACZOROWSKI

Los Angeles

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The real reason McBrien and other ultraliberals are pushing for the pope’s resignation is that they--the left wing of the modern Catholic Church--have lost. The inane “causes” for which they have railed for the past 25 years are dead or dying, and they know it.

McBrien trembles at the thought that the pope will call another consistory, naming yet another batch of conservative bishops as new cardinals. If indeed this occurs, it will almost certainly assure the church of another leader just like John Paul II.

The liberals in the Catholic Church have failed to destroy it.

THOMAS D. HOGAN

Long Beach