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Australia’s example
Thank you for your cover story on Archbishop George Pell of Melbourne (“Man With a Mission,” May 2000). The news from “down under” is very, very encouraging to all those loyal Catholics in the United States who are hoping that we shall soon discover our own “man with a mission” here in America. Will Archbishop-designate Egan play the same sort of role in New York that Archbishop Pell has played in Melbourne? We can hope and pray that he will. Meanwhile we can be grateful for CWR providing us with the news of revival and renewal in the Australian Church; that sort of news almost never comes across the usual secular wires, nor (for different reasons) are we likely to see it in our diocesan newspapers.
—Edward Harper
Holyoke, Massachusetts
A disturbing illustration
Your report on “St. Sebastian’s Angels” (June 2000) sufficiently described the sinful homosexual acts committed by some Catholic clergymen. There was no need to reprint that erotic, pornographic picture of an almost naked man tied to a column and pierced by arrows. Please, never print pornographic pictures of any kind whatever in CWR. Such pictures cheapen the fine reputation of the periodical and its excellence in literary style.
—Nicholas R. Fiorita
Richmond Heights, Missouri
The picture in question was an unusual interpretation of a familiar theme: the martyrdom of St. Sebastian. This depiction of the scene was clearly intended to have erotic overtones. We did not consider it pornographic as such, and would not have published it if we had. However, the reader’s complaint raises a larger issue. Immediately after the appearance of our June issue, several other readers also complained that the report on “St. Sebastian’s Angels” contained offensive material, which should not have appeared in a Catholic publication. These readers are raising a serious point, which deserves a serious response.
In our efforts to give readers an accurate view of world events, we must often publish news which is disheartening and even distasteful. (We are appalled by the persecution of Christians, for example, but we would be neglecting our responsibilities if we failed to mention that persecution.) And when the unhappy news involves sexual impropriety, it is difficult to give readers an accurate understanding of the story without providing some details. Particularly in the case of the St. Sebastian’s Angels web site—which some other editors had sought to pass off as a harmless exchange of pastoral suggestions—we judged it essential to give readers a few concrete examples of the materials that were actually posted on that site. CWR is always mindful of the need to treat such topics with taste and discretion. In fact, the story in our June issue was heavily edited, to eliminate material which we judged too vile for publication. It is a measure of our current dilemma that some people—including, in this case, Catholic priests—enjoy posting messages so thoroughly obscene that we cannot find a tasteful way to describe them!
—The Editor
Cause for applause
The applause which seems to have become an integral part of the Holy Mass is disturbing to me, and to others I know, and in my opinion destroys the sanctity of the Mass.
Applause was particularly prominent in the recent installation of the new Archbishop of New York, Edward Egan, and also at the funeral of his predecessor Cardinal O’Connor. It also was prominent in several of the Masses offered by our Holy Father in the Holy Land. There is also applause during the Masses broadcast by EWTN from the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.
When did this practice begin, and is it really an approved practice?
—George A. Maty
St. Louis, Missouri
Applause has never been explicitly approved by the Church, but it is tolerated (or encouraged) by some clergy. In Western cultures applause is a spontaneous expression of approval, so it is not necessarily surprising that some would applaud during the Mass, as attitudes during the celebration of the sacrament have become more informal in recent years. Applause could be compared to shouting “Hear, hear” during a political speech or “Amen” in some Protestant churches.
But since celebration of the Eucharist is a solemn occasion of worship, applause during Mass is usually inappropriate. Catholics should conduct themselves with appropriate decorum, knowing the difference between the rare, polite applause at the end of Mass to show approval to a special guest, for example, and disruptive or disrespectful clapping and hooting.
—The Editor
Editorial ambitions
Twice recently I have come across news articles stating that a “Catholic editor” would run as an independent candidate against Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts this year.
Could this “Catholic editor” be our Philip Lawler? And if so, to where should we send our contributions to help him in this effort? It is long past time for those who place politics and party ahead of God and country to be removed from high office—from any office!
—Allen O’Donnell
Wayne, Nebraska
Your suspicion is accurate. With the closing of the July issue of CWR, I shall be taking a leave of absence from my day-to-day responsibilities as Editor, in order to devote more time to my campaign for the Senate seat from Massachusetts. Readers interested in learning more about my candidacy can consult my campaign web site: www.lawler2000.org.
—The Editor (on leave)
Letters Policy
The Catholic World Report encourages readers to contribute their own reflections, either responding to editorial material or reflecting on world affairs. CWR reserves the right to edit letters for publication. Letters are limited to 400 words, and must include the writer’s name and address.
Please send letters to: Box 1608, So. Lancaster, MA 01561.
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