Giving Forgiveness

Re “An Apology, Intended to Heal, Divides” (March 23): Emotions run high when religious leaders such as San Diego Bishop Robert Brom appear to violate the tenets of Catholic faith: forgiveness and compassion.

After denying gay nightclub owner John McCusker Jr. a Catholic funeral, the bishop apologized to the man’s family and offered to say a Mass for him. I would ask Brom to consider Christ’s message as the bishop participates in Holy Week services: “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but do not consider the log in your own?”

Hopefully, the McCusker family will forgive the bishop and keep the faith. After all, the church is not about Bishop Brom, but the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ. What would Jesus have done had the gossipmongers asked him to deny McCusker and his family a Catholic burial?

Sandra Lippe

San Diego