‘Moral victory?’ Not for these readers
Church leaders must address Bush’s lackluster record on social justice issues
I would like to comment on the cover of your Nov. 11 issue. While I hope it was not meant this way, the picture of a triumphant-looking George Bush next to the banner “Moral Victory” makes it appear that Mr. Bush has been figuratively anointed as the moral savior of American society by the Catholic Church.
This was an unfortunate editorial decision that ignored the complexity of the issues associated with a Catholic perspective on the recent election.
The election should be viewed as a partial victory for Catholic teaching.
I earnestly hope that Mr. Bush’s reelection will advance the Catholic position on key life issues such as abortion.
However, I also hope that over the next four years our Church, both the pastors and laity, will not shirk their responsibility to critique the administration’s very real shortcomings on issues of social justice, environmental policy and international relations.
Andrew Brereton
Sayreville
Moral values debate ignored death penalty
Let’s not forget that while President George Bush advocated a pro-life stance on the issue of abortion during his campaign, he avoided any discussion on his horrid capital punishment record of executing at least 131 individuals to death while he was Governor of Texas. For those who voted for Mr. Bush, doesn’t “Thou shalt not kill” apply to him as well?
Debra Miller
Hillsborough
‘Moral loss’ better summarizes the way U.S. Church trumpeted Bush, ignored war tragedy
As a Catholic living within the Diocese of Metuchen I am appalled by the Nov. 11 cover with President Bush, declaring his re-election a “Moral Victory.”
Is it a “Moral Victory” to kill innocent women, children and men just be cause they are Iraqi and therefore guilty by association with Sadam Hussein?
Is it a “Moral Victory” to send American men and women into a slaughter in Iraq because of the phantom weapons of mass destruction?
Is it a “Moral Victory” to lie to U.S. citizens and the rest of the world about phantom weapons of mass destruction as the reason for invading a nation of innocent people ruled by a despot?
A “Moral Victory” this was not. This was a victory of arrogance, blatant lies and rigidity. Mixing religious and spiritual matters with this political election, in fact any political election, is an immoral loss to those of us who aspire to American ideals which include the separation of Church and state.
Lisa Bogart
Bound Brook
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law