LETTERS

ARTICLES

NEWS

FOLLOW ME

ROAMIN' CATHOLIC






Contents © 2000
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.

LETTERS
JUNE 2000

---

HOMOSEXUALITY
AND PEDOPHILIA

I would like to add a postscript to the Letters to the Editor discussion [Letters, May Faith] about homosexuality and pedophilia. As you point out in your response to "Anonymous", pedophilia "is a crime committed by both homosexuals and heterosexuals." This statement, while true, does not provide the reader with a most significant fact: While it is estimated that just 2% of the population is homosexual, 25% to 40% of child molestations are committed by homosexuals. The popular media gleefully points out that more child molestations are committed by heterosexuals, but never provides the more relevant fact of the percentages involved. This is because the popular media is in the pocket of the "gay agenda."

I would urge San Francisco Faith readers to learn more about homosexuality and child molestation by contacting Dr. Paul Cameron and the Family Research Institute Inc. at PO Box 2091, Washington D.C., 20013. The institute can provide valuable details and research material on this subject. Catholics have a moral obligation to fight the incursion of the deadly homosexual lifestyle and "gay agenda" into our lives, the lives of our children, and into our Church.

Sincerely,

Laurette Elsberry
Sacramento


JESUS' BROTHERS
AND SISTERS?

Re: Dogma director Kevin Smith's assertion that Jesus had physical brothers and sisters ["Man Behind the 'Buddy Christ," May Faith]. He [Smith] says, "Mark talks about Jesus' brothers; he talks about his sisters. And then some people will say, 'well, that's just because they didn't have the word for cousin. But meanwhile, 10 chapters earlier they talk about Mary's cousin giving birth.... I mean they treat it arbitrarily." This really shows Smith's ignorance of the book he professes to know well. Elizabeth is never mentioned in Mark. She is only mentioned in Luke (which comes after Mark), and there she is referred to as "kinswoman" (Lk. 1:36). The Gospel authors attribute parents other than Mary and Joseph for these so-called "brothers" of Jesus (cf., Matt. 10:2-4). But the most compelling argument against Jesus having any natural siblings is in John 19:26-27, where Jesus gives care of his mother to John. If Jesus had had any natural siblings, for him to entrust Mary to anyone else would have been unconscionable. So the Church is right: Mary was ever-virgin and Jesus did not have any natural siblings.

Brian K. O'Neel
Sacramento


EX-HLI STAFFER RESPONDS

Mr. Art Brew's article, "Human Life International Responds" [April Faith], may have presented some of the distorted views of Father Richard Welch, but it failed to
provide a factual account of the onerous events at Human Life International (HLI). As a former presidential executive assistant, I feel both qualified and compelled to make certain clarifications regarding Mr. Brew's April 4, 2000 article.

Father Richard Welch stated in the article that he was "responding to what he termed 'misinformation and 'outright lies.'" This writer wishes to clarify exactly who is giving "misinformation" and where the "outright lies" are coming from.

Father Welch has stated that he was unhappy with The Wanderer because it "did not publish HLI's rebuttal to a litany of charges." This rebuttal, prepared by HLI Board member Ann Sheridan in September 1999, contained untold factual errors and most likely was not published because of legal threats made by HLI.

In responding to The Wanderer's claim that "in the past two years 35 employees have either been fired or have resigned," Ms. Sheridan indicated (in September, 1999), "the accurate number is 17." When Mr. Brew confronted Father Welch with this same issue in the April Faith article, he repeated the same figure that Ms. Sheridan gave in September -- that only 17 employees had left HLI and this was "a not unusual figure."

What is "unusual" is Father Welch's failure to include the additional 18 employees who resigned or were terminated from September 1999 onward. In fact, during the last 18 months, 31 employees have resigned for varying reasons, but the majority left because of inept leadership and the poor morale that stemmed from it. This figure includes the Chief Operating Officer (terminated), the Vice President of Service and Education (terminated), 4 Senior Managers, the Human Resource Director, and 11 other employees.

When Dr. Jerome Smith, Ph.D., resigned in November 1999 after a six-month stint as HR Director, he submitted the following in his resignation letter: "...the environment at HLI [makes] it impossible for me to develop and conduct a human resource management program at the level of responsibility, professionalism, and effectiveness that I desire and which is expected of all human resource professionals."

Father Welch and other board members do not hesitate to broadcast any perceived infirmity or ailment of Father Marx. In October 1999, the HLI founder visited the Mayo Clinic and received a battery of diagnostic tests. The resultant Mayo report maintains that he should "maximize on his contributions personally and professionally" and that "he is certainly competent to understand and manage medical, financial, [and] occupational activities." These statements appear contradictory to Father Welch's statement "We cannot take care of him in Virginia."

Father Welch neglected to mention the residency of another priest at HLI headquarters, Father George Parker, who, shortly before his scheduled arrival at HLI, suffered a heart attack. After an extended recuperation, Father Parker was brought on-staff and was provided a specially designed residence (courtesy of Father Marx). Father Parker continued to experience serious health problems which culminated in quadruple bypass surgery, and, shortly thereafter, he developed complications which resulted in yet another operation.

After spending three months in-hospital, he returned to HLI where the entire staff (including Father Marx) gathered to welcome him back! Father Parker requires special medical attention, and has dietary and other restrictions; however, he remains in-residence and on payroll. Father Welch's statement "We can't take care of [Father Marx] at HLI" seems ludicrous. The benevolence shown to Father Parker is commendable; it is unfortunate that HLI's own Founder cannot receive similar treatment.

In the Faith article of April, Father Welch "complained that negative coverage of HLI has relied heavily on John Cavanaugh-O'Keefe who ... was fired twice by HLI." In truth, Mr. O'Keefe has attested (and Father Marx has concurred) that "he was fired only once" and this firing was by Father Welch. In 1999, Mr. O'Keefe and two other HLI employees filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) charging they were fired because of "rumors that they were trying to unionize the non-profit organization's employees." After 15 months of legal and administrative bickering, the NLRB dispute was recently settled, but HLI will be "bleeding green" as a result of the agreement. As part of the final settlement, HLI must make "lump sum monetary payments" to all three fired employees, and must clarify statements that were made regarding employees being terminated for "political extremism." The legal costs and penalties involved in the NLRB proceedings typify the waste of human and monetary resources inside the present HLI organization.

The April Faith article reports Father Welch as saying "two other senior employees claimed they were defamed by Father Marx
and brought suit against HLI." In truth, the initial lawsuit was brought against HLI, then later amended to include two priests, Father Matthew Habiger and Father Paul Marx.

Father Welch believes "that he is the inheritor of the bad outcome of decisions made before he became president." The costs incurred in building the HLI headquarters (as reported in an HLI publication) were $3.9 million (not $7.5 million as reported by Father Welch). Donors attending the 1996 headquarters dedication ceremonies were astounded to learn that the new building was mortgage free! This was a testimony to the leadership (and fundraising ability) of Father Paul Marx.

During a recent employee gathering, HLI Chairman Father Matthew Habiger allegedly "chastised" the former administration for not completing a relocation feasibility study. This is amusing when you consider that Father Habiger was President in 1994, and the absence of a feasibility study only reflects his deficient strategic planning.

Although Father Welch denies a $1 million public relations effort suggested by a former finance committee member, there is no doubt that PR efforts have been maximized. The organization spouts daily press releases that, in my opinion, attempt to magnify Fr. Welch and address every subject except mothers and infants. Fr. Welch is postured as the ultimate "face" of the organization (his picture now appears on HLI envelopes!), and one might believe that it is he who must be saved in lieu of the millions of babies destroyed yearly by abortion.

HLI's latest web site addition labeled "Culture of Attack" contains mixed messages that promote the incredible idea that HLI is under "fierce attack" by aggressors "using the media." In it, Fr. Welch complains that The Wanderer "has demonized HLI's leadership to the point where a mantra calling for my resignation has reached a screaming crescendo." The web site, like many other communications that emanate from the Front Royal headquarters, lacks any convincing rhetoric and reads like a manifesto of self-absolution.

Father Welch indicated that "he sent a letter of apology to [Dr. Hanna Klaus] for defamatory remarks made about her program by Father Marx." The letter, signed by Fathers Habiger and Welch, included this remark: "We think that if these Cardinals [Hickey and Trujillo] are pleased with the contents of your program (TeenSTAR), that is a strong endorsement of its value. We defer to their judgment." Taken at face value these words certainly give the appearance of an endorsement of the TeenSTAR program. Furthermore, if Dr. Klaus had been defamed, it is probable that she would have pursued legal action long before the Habiger/Welch apology of 1999. It appears that Frs. Habiger and Welch did not anticipate Dr. Klaus copying their letter to others who disapproved of TeenSTAR and who might, likewise, consider it an HLI endorsement.

A review of Father Welch's autobiography, Blood of the Martyrs (1994), is insightful. His own words betray what drives him: "I was motivated more by the notion of getting power and authority" (Welch, p. 49). He also addresses the effects of attaining this power: "...I got myself into position[s] of authority very fast, and very consciously, and this authority began to erode the foundations of my priesthood, of my spiritual life. Ambition of this sort is deadly for a priest.... More so than for anyone else. It can destroy you" (Welch, p. 53). This writer believes these words to be true -- but bear in mind that ambition and power not only destroy people, but organizations as well.

Sincerely,

Evelyn M. Kerr
Former Executive Assistant to the HLI President


KANSAS LEGISLATIVE PRAYER STRIKES A NERVE

We thought you'd be interested in the [attached prayer] which was read in our church last week. When minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask Your forgiveness and to seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good, but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.

"We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it pluralism;
-- we have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism;
-- we have endorsed perversion and called it alternative lifestyle;
-- we have exploited the poor and called it the lottery;
-- we have rewarded laziness and called it welfare;
-- we have killed our unborn and called it choice;
-- we have shot abortionists and called it justice;
-- we have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem;
-- we have abused power and called it politics;
-- we have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition;
-- we have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression;
-- we have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

"Search us, oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent to direct us to the center of Your will, to open ask it in the name of Your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen."

Anonymous
Sebastopol

TOP