Don't like it? Leave._______
St. Louis University basketball coach Rick Majerus' "respectful" defiance of Archbishop Raymond Burke ("Majerus defiant — with respect," Jan. 24) raises an important question: Do voluntary associations such as religious denominations, political parties, lobbying groups, etc., whose very existence and identity is based on a common set of core beliefs or values, have the right to determine the conditions for membership in good standing of the group?
Implicit in Archbishop Raymond Burke's predictably unpopular but very correct reaction to Mr. Majerus' "pro-choice" expressions is a clear "yes" answer to that question. Mr. Majerus' comments imply an equally emphatic "No." For even while admitting he "does not speak for the university or the Catholic church," he inconsistently insists that it is up to him as an individual, not the church, to decide the conditions for his own membership status and right to receive Holy Communion. He even implies that Archbishop Burke is challenging his "First Amendment right to free speech."
This simply is nonsense. Nobody is trying to stop Mr. Majerus from professing his personal beliefs. Nor is anyone forcing him to remain a Roman Catholic. So if he now finds he honestly cannot agree with the church of his upbringing on a core issue such as the right to life of unborn infants, he should have the integrity to cut that umbilical cord and join some denomination that shares his own, more "inclusive" and pluralistic approach to doctrine.
The Rev. Brian W. Harrison
St. Louis
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Speaking openly
In "Majerus runs afoul of Burke" (Jan. 23), it looks like Archbishop Raymond Burke wants to stop free speech and avoid paying taxes. St. Louis University coach Rick Majerus was at an off-campus political meeting and voiced his opinion. Archbishop Burke said, "It is not possible for a representative of the university to espouse these views, which are in open violation of moral law."
If Mr. Majerus cannot speak his mind, his free speech is violated. When U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., ran for president, Archbishop Burke instructed all those who would listen not to vote for Mr. Kerry. That appeared to be a violation of the tax-exempt status his church enjoys. Once he tried to influence the political process, the tax-free status granted churches should have been revoked.
Tom Rose | Warrenton
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Almighty dollar
It is a disgrace for a high-profile person, including St. Louis University basketball coach Rick Majerus, to declare his politics against the teaching of the church. Obviously, St. Louis University finds the almighty dollar more important than the teachings of the church.
There are many Catholics in St. Louis. We should protest Mr. Majerus' stand on abortion and stem cell research by refusing to attend SLU basketball games. Maybe if the school does not reap the benefits of large crowds at the games and big money, it will reconsider the hiring of Mr. Majerus.
Again, Archbishop Raymond Burke is a spokesman for our church, without any influence, money or power. We should be very proud of our archbishop. He is very consistent when it comes to the church's teachings.
Sue McCabe | Ballwin
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Burke calls a foul
Again, Archbishop Raymond Burke found a way to be in the news for the wrong reasons. His overreacting to Rick Majerus' statements at a campaign stop for U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton made me angry. As a teenage Catholic, I understand where the archbishop is coming from, but the archbishop is not handling the situation correctly.
He is using the St. Louis media to get his point across that being pro-choice and supporting stem cell research are wrong. The archbishop should have handled this situation behind closed doors. It was audacious for the archbishop to use a well-known person to get the point across about Catholic views.
Kevin Jackson | Kirkwood
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Check the contract
Archbishop Raymond Burke certainly has a right to express his outrage over St. Louis University basketball coach Rick Majerus' comments at the political rally for U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton in St. Louis. However, before he starts demanding that SLU discipline the coach, the archbishop might want to find out what is in Mr. Majerus' contract. SLU is not a part of the St. Louis Archdiocese, and it is not under the jurisdiction of the archbishop. Mr. Majerus has a contract to coach basketball. Unless his contract specifically prohibits his comments on the subjects he addressed at the political rally, both the coach and the university can ignore the archbishop.
Since his tenure began in St. Louis, the archbishop has had a history of dealing with controversial issues with a hammer-and-anvil approach (see St. Stanislaus Kostka Church and the Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital flaps). Something that could have been handled privately by the archbishop with a little bit of pastoral discretion and care now needlessly has been blown out of proportion, to the embarrassment of all Catholic Church members in the region.
While I strongly disagree with Mr. Majerus' choice of political candidates and his position on abortion and stem cell research, I respect his right to express those opinions.
I also am rooting for the coach and the university on this one. We'll see.
Dan Hubbard | Chesterfield
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Come to class
A recent magazine published and distributed by St. Louis University caught my eye. On the cover was Rick Majerus' face, with the famous Billiken statue in the background next to him. Near the prestigious coach's head were the words: "The New Face of SLU." Because of his popularity and reputation, his name has become the name around campus. As a student, I can't go to class without seeing his picture on bulletin boards or hearing his name.
This makes me wonder, in light of his recent brush with Archbishop Raymond Burke: How can a man seemingly inextricably associated with the university — if not legally, then certainly at least tacitly — express controversial opinions opposed to its identity as a Jesuit school? That the university seems to have sold its Catholic identity for the new stadium does not allow its employees to publicize anti-Catholic sentiments.
I can't go to class without seeing a crucifix positioned above the board in the front of every room. Perhaps Mr. Majerus needs to step into a classroom and be reminded that he is a public figure and that there is no such thing as a non-Catholic Jesuit school.
Charlie Samson | Des Peres
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Free to speak
Unfortunately, Archbishop Raymond Burke thinks the Catholic Church runs the world. The coach stated clearly that he was speaking his personal opinion. Let the coach speak freely.
I am an alumni of St. Louis University, and I also have an opinion. It is between my God and me. I am allowed by the Constitution to think and speak that opinion, regardless of what my employer or Archbishop Burke thinks.
Judy Polys | Kirkwood
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Heart and soul
As a Catholic who attended 17 years of Catholic schools in Archbishop Raymond Burke's old Wisconsin diocese and then the Wisconsin university where Rick Majerus once coached, I feel like I'm among acquaintances, if not friends. I'm 73 now and although I missed the Spanish Inquisition by five centuries, it seems as if an inquisition has started again. Archbishop Burke has besmirched the reputations of politicians and entertainers, and now a coach (not to mention quite a few Protestants, such as the Danforths). Yet, amazingly, he once said denial of communion is not a judgment. He said, referring to U.S. Sen. John Kerry, "... the state of his soul is between God and him." And the same article said that some U.S. bishops interpret church teaching to say that an individual examination of conscience, not a minister, should dictate whether a person is worthy to receive the sacrament.
As a Hillary Clinton supporter, I share this story: A friend of mine in Wisconsin in 2004 went to the local Catholic priest and said, "You won't be able to give me communion anymore, father; I voted for John Kerry!" The priest said, "Don't worry about it; I did, too."
Only God — not the archbishop — knows what resides in Mr. Majerus's heart and his soul.
Stephen Behrndt | Des Peres
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Archbishop has the rules on his side
Thanks to the Post-Dispatch, we have been reassured that Rick Majerus, St. Louis University Basketball Coach, is "Majerus defiant — with respect" (Jan. 24)." It seems he's more respectful of U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., than the Catholic Church. Perhaps if Archbishop Raymond Burke wore a striped shirt and carried a whistle, Mr. Majerus might have more respect for him.
Each Sunday, when Mr. Majerus professes his faith at Mass, he is in direct conflict with the statements he made in support of abortion and the killing of embryos for research purposes. Archbishop Burke is not denying anyone his right to free speech. He was pointing out to Mr. Majerus that a conflict exists in the coach's public statements and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Mr. Majerus is being paid to be a role model for students, fans and their families at a school with a "Catholic tradition." It is right that the leaders of the church insist that he not actively lead students from the church's teachings on life-and-death issues. Mr. Majerus' free speech rights are not the issue here any more than they are an issue when he is reprimanded with a technical foul on the basketball court.
Essentially, the archbishop has called a technical foul. If Mr. Majerus truly were respectful, he would apologize to the guy in charge of this game and head to the locker room to cool off. Here in St. Louis, Archbishop Burke is the guy with the whistle, and the rule book is on his side.
Cathy Schmidt | Grantwood
The entire group of letters is archived here for posterity since, over time, they will no longer be easily accessible on the Post's web site.
We can see that there a a number of rather confused individuals who mistakenly equate free speech with one's professed religious faith, belief, creed, and necessary assent.
Apparently many of those above are incapable of making this distinction, even though some claim to have been educated in institutions of "higher learning," such as SLU.
Majerus has two options - he can make a public apology for his gravely immoral positions or he can choose to find the courage (doubtful) to leave the Catholic Church and find a group that has positions more to his liking (the party of death?)...Certainly, if he does neither due to fear, rebellion, obstinacy, or whatever, Archbishop Burke is entirely free (and obligated) to address and resolve Majerus' public scandal.
Source Post Dispatch
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