Letter To The Editor: Supporting the sanctity of human life across the board
May 2, 2020 at 2:35 p.m.
The caller made it known that the basis of her appreciation stems from two separated, but related principles. Principle one is that she abhors the practice of abortion. Her second principle revolved around the fact that Catholic action is having the effect of reducing the amount of her contribution to federal taxes being spent by the government on various pro-abortion programs. The delight of the host of the program, in agreeing with the caller’s sentiments, reverberated across the air waves.
The caller went on to say that she was also anti-war and that she resented how government was spending a sizable portion of her tax contribution on fostering wars. She expressed her disappointment that Catholic leadership was not taking a broader stance in embracing the complete message of the “Prince of Peace,” that is: “Thou shall not kill.” Well, the silence from the host was deafening. No more supporting comments; rather he became virtually speechless.
As a practicing Catholic who takes an interest in current events, both world affairs and Catholic doctrine, I was not surprised at the negative reaction of the host, for he was only portraying the basic tenet of most American Catholic leaders in respect of the waging of war, that is, almost total silence. Is it any wonder that I was so pleased to read the heartbreaking, anti-war commentary, “Remembering the Victims of Madness,” in the February edition of The Monitor Magazine.
But it is not just in America; there are examples of Catholic leaders actively supporting war elsewhere around the world. One such example can be seen in a recent movie, “A Silent Life.” For those who have seen the movie, it is seen in this true story that local Catholic clergy took an active part in trying to persuade a young Austrian farmer to participate in Hitler’s war. They fail, and this young Catholic, following the teaching of Christ, is then executed by the Nazis, leaving behind a devoted wife and three young children.
I believe this movie will sow seeds in the minds of Catholic leadership everywhere, [and] will germinate as thoughts in respect of the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ on the evil of killing, no matter what forms the killings take, whether it is in the mother’s womb, or in a war environment. I [also] believe The Monitor Magazine’s article will do the same. All for the honor and glory of God.
James O’Brien, Tuckerton
Related Stories
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
E-Editions
Events
The caller made it known that the basis of her appreciation stems from two separated, but related principles. Principle one is that she abhors the practice of abortion. Her second principle revolved around the fact that Catholic action is having the effect of reducing the amount of her contribution to federal taxes being spent by the government on various pro-abortion programs. The delight of the host of the program, in agreeing with the caller’s sentiments, reverberated across the air waves.
The caller went on to say that she was also anti-war and that she resented how government was spending a sizable portion of her tax contribution on fostering wars. She expressed her disappointment that Catholic leadership was not taking a broader stance in embracing the complete message of the “Prince of Peace,” that is: “Thou shall not kill.” Well, the silence from the host was deafening. No more supporting comments; rather he became virtually speechless.
As a practicing Catholic who takes an interest in current events, both world affairs and Catholic doctrine, I was not surprised at the negative reaction of the host, for he was only portraying the basic tenet of most American Catholic leaders in respect of the waging of war, that is, almost total silence. Is it any wonder that I was so pleased to read the heartbreaking, anti-war commentary, “Remembering the Victims of Madness,” in the February edition of The Monitor Magazine.
But it is not just in America; there are examples of Catholic leaders actively supporting war elsewhere around the world. One such example can be seen in a recent movie, “A Silent Life.” For those who have seen the movie, it is seen in this true story that local Catholic clergy took an active part in trying to persuade a young Austrian farmer to participate in Hitler’s war. They fail, and this young Catholic, following the teaching of Christ, is then executed by the Nazis, leaving behind a devoted wife and three young children.
I believe this movie will sow seeds in the minds of Catholic leadership everywhere, [and] will germinate as thoughts in respect of the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ on the evil of killing, no matter what forms the killings take, whether it is in the mother’s womb, or in a war environment. I [also] believe The Monitor Magazine’s article will do the same. All for the honor and glory of God.
James O’Brien, Tuckerton