Catholics’ trials and tribulations

Re “None so blind,” Opinion, Nov. 11

What has happened to the church and society that we can’t comprehend contrition, conversion and the healing, redemptive power of forgiveness? I think Cardinal Francis George, the archbishop of Chicago and incoming president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops, should be commended for standing up to his brother bishops and acting on his apparent belief in the power of forgiveness, healing and conversion. Isn’t that what Christianity is about?

Thomas E. Brandlin

Los Angeles

As a concerned Catholic, I would like to know whether torture, illegal privation of freedom, decimation of populations, the death penalty, the systematic destruction of the environment and the strong preference for the rich are considered “intrinsic evil” by the Catholic bishops, and if I should refrain from voting for candidates who support those views so I wouldn’t put in jeopardy my eternal salvation.

Maruja Powys

Santa Ana

Three things are never stressed in the incessant stories on Catholic clergy abuse:

Almost none of the problems have occurred since 1992 (10 years before the Boston Globe expose). In that year, the Catholic hierarchy itself strongly addressed the matter.

The level of proof has been pitifully low: not proof beyond reasonable doubt, not the preponderance of evidence, only a reasonable possibility of wrongdoing.

Those forced to pay the huge sums of money to the accusers have not been the perpetrators.

Doesn’t this bother anyone?

Larry Walker

Canoga Park