Some Letters to the Review re: St. Stanislaus

Critics need to listen

Editor:

Surely like many others, including our archbishop, I am sorry about what has happened and is occurring at St. Stanislaus Parish. However, I am truly angered by unjust and uninformed public comments seeking to vilify Archbishop Raymond Burke.

If critics, whether of the bleeding-heart or vitriolic variety, would follow the maxim "engage brain before pulling mouth in gear," an astonishing amount of truth might be discovered. Words have meanings so I would ask three questions of those critics: First, what was the agreement between Archbishop Peter Kenrick and the founders of St. Stanislaus Parish? Secondly, who violated the agreement? Thirdly, what do they mean when they stand at the beginning of Holy Mass and say: "... I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church ...?"

With those facts in hand they just might discover that Archbishop Burke is, indeed, a shepherd tending his flock; that he is neither a mitered Machiavelli nor a mounted and armed, medieval bishop trampling opponents beneath his horse’s hooves and bashing the heads of any within reach of his mace.

The St. Louis area in which I was born and have always lived was filled with tolerant, decent, level-headed mid-Americans. Where have they gone? When were they replaced by howling wolves intent only on rending and tearing capriciously chosen victims; even decent leaders entitled to respect? Shame on those who have replaced decency and decorum with demagoguery! Let us pray that light will illumine the darkness of their minds and hearts.

Edward A. Rohde
St. Louis

A good and reasoned letter. Many of us have asked many of the same questions and had the same thoughts....(BTW...all emphasis above is mine).

Then we have another letter - Maybe it's the Review's attempt at "balance"?

Spin not needed

Editor:

I am extremely insulted that the archdiocese has chosen to spend our money to hire a spokesperson to spin the St. Stanislaus issue.

We always have heard directly from a member of the staff of the archdiocese. Now, however, when the heat is turned up because of tactics that might be characterized as a departure from Christian values it appears that no one wants to face the members of the archdiocese.

Norm Clark
Chesterfield

Are we to understand that the hiring of a new spokesman (I despise inclusive languange!) was done to "spin" the St. Stanislaus issue...It appears from all of the known facts of the case, that the board of St. Stanislaus is using the Post-Dispatch as a willing accomplice to "spin" its version of the 'truth' in what would seem to be an historical revisionist's delight.

I agree with Mr. Rohde that we should "pray that light will illumine the darkness of their minds and hearts."

Source.