In my 48 years as a Catholic priest (12 more in seminary formation), I have never been so embarrassed by the words of a prelate than what Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, said about Charlie Kirk.
He identified him as a modern-day St. Paul, a “missionary, evangelist and a hero.”
Certainly, His Eminence appreciates that his pronouncements would be widely disseminated and viewed as reflective of the official position of the church. Someone in his position speaking on a matter of such consequence is expected to choose his words carefully and to weigh the impact. If my assumptions are accurate, the cardinal has given credence to bigotry, ridicule and denigration of those on the margins of society.
Kirk advocated public executions and inviting children as spectators. He said Black women such as Michele Obama, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Joy Reid and Sheila Jackson Lee lack “the brain processing power to be taken seriously.” Kirk also said, “I can’t stand the word empathy. Actually, I think empathy is a made-up, New Age term, that it does a lot of damage.”
The church should be a beacon of morality. The prelate’s remarks only further the notion that the church is more political than it is moral. I suggest that in the future, His Eminence do research before canonizing someone who’s responsible for statements that fail the test of charity and empathy.
Rev. Leo F. Armbrust, West Palm Beach
Praise for Pat Beall
I wish to express thanks to the Sun Sentinel for publishing Pat Beall’s column on the effects of social media. It is incisive and brilliant, and so very true.
I look forward to reading more of Ms. Beall’s excellent opinion pieces.
Phyllis Krinsky, Pompano Beach
A contrary view
The problem with Pat Beall’s writing is, she can’t decide if she wants to be a writer on a serious subject with facts or focus mostly on her opinions.
My guess is that those who support her because of her politics read her column because it adds humor. The problem is, the humor takes away from the serious subjects and only reinforce the idea that she is a comedian rather than a serious journalist.
She’s obviously meant to be a humor writer. How ironic that so many actually take her columns for something factual.
Mark Goldstein, Boca Raton
Police both sides, Governor
Living in Florida, the laboratory of authoritarianism, we must ask that the governor who polices free speech give all transgressions of his new rules equal attention — and persecution.
He should review all social media of his target groups (teachers, legislators) for inappropriate attacks on Democratic rivals. For example, those making light of the physical attack on Paul Pelosi, and the murder of a legislator in Minnesota, must be punished.
The door, once opened, must swing both ways.
Sandy Coyman, Deerfield Beach
Cowboy what?
As someone who was born in Dallas, raised in East Texas and was a 30-year resident of Austin and Houston, I never heard about this dish called “Cowboy Caviar.”
I spent the first 54 years of my life in Texas before moving to South Florida. Whatever this strange concoction might be, I don’t think “Texas” should be part of its appellation.
Clark Archer, Deerfield Beach
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