Faith in God Is Stronger Than Man

Re “Can Gays Be Good Priests?” Commentary, May 2: Could Douglas Kmiec actually believe that homosexuality within the priesthood is a larger issue than child sexual abuse? If that’s the prevailing view, then no wonder the church has been shaken to its core. It has been estimated that the priesthood may be up to 40% gay, but no one has suggested that 40% are child molesters. As for whether gays can be good priests, ask the firemen who carried Father Mychal Judge’s body from the World Trade Center on Sept. 11.

The only issue larger than child sexual abuse is the church’s inability to understand that when it comes to human sexuality, a celibate priesthood, having removed itself from the practice of human sexuality, has no business handing out the rules. In doing so, it continues to leave a trail of psychologically wrecked followers behind.

Larry Greenfield

Los Angeles

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“Can gays be good priests?” Of course they can. God loves all his children regardless of their sexual orientation. I think the correct question would be, can priests be good human beings? Not all homosexual priests would molest a child or commit a sexual act with another person. Not all heterosexual priests would molest a child or commit a sexual act with another person. Homosexuals are just like heterosexuals. The Catholic Church requires priests to refrain from sexual activity for God. So any priest, whether homosexual or heterosexual, would be restrained from that.

Stefanie Matsuoka

Northridge

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Re “Cardinals Look Out for No. 1 in Scandal,” by Steve Lopez, May 3: Mr. Lopez, you purport to be in the Catholic family, or have been. Were you absent when they taught the creed of faith? (Take your pick: the Apostles’ Creed for children, Athanasian/Neapolitan or the Nicene.) In none of them is an article of faith to be found that says: “I believe in the cardinal . . . I believe in the bishop . . . I believe in the priests.” To this black Catholic, the church is us--the people, not those stewards wearing the red and scarlet hats. Thus, the faith still stands. There is no crisis in what we know or profess to believe, and everyone remains accountable for all they do. There was a class called “sin.” Did you miss it? So if it appears that clergy are getting away, they aren’t.

James Wesly Smith

Pacoima