Catholicism and politics

Re “The holy war over Kathleen Sebelius,” Opinion, April 25

Tim Rutten presents the unholy attempt by some clergy in the Catholic Church to force their doctrinal religious views on elected representatives. That bishops would forbid Catholic officeholders like Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius from taking Communion because of their political stands shows how far we have come. And not in the right direction.

Millions of us supported John F. Kennedy, either because we didn’t care what religion he was or because he assured us that his Catholicism would play no role in his presidency. In September 1960, Kennedy assured us that he stood for “an America where the separation of church and state is absolute.” He told us that he did “not speak for my church on public matters -- and the church does not speak for me.”

Wise words that these bishops should take to heart and that America’s politicians should heed. Thank you, Gov. Sebelius, for standing up to religious bullying.

Ken Goldman

Beverly Hills

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Rutten refers to “extremism on both sides” of the abortion debate. As a pro-choice activist in Kansas, I reject the charge of extremism.

Pro-choice activists do not bomb clinics or shoot doctors. They do not protest at people’s places of worship and private homes. They do not drive an offensive “truth truck” around town, as do those associated with Operation Rescue.

We do not interfere with other people’s personal decisions. We agree with Sebelius that criminalizing abortion is not the way to lower the rate of abortion. What we want is to keep abortion legal and safe. We lobby for measures to help women avoid unwanted pregnancies.

Choice means allowing a woman to decide whether to give birth or to have a safe and legal abortion that protects her health and honors her decision-making ability. This is not an extremist position.

Diane Wahto

Wichita, Kan.

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Rutten misses the point in his implied criticism of bishops who enforce a ban on Communion for Catholic politicians who vote for a pro-choice agenda. These clerics are not dictating anything as such -- politicians can still vote as they please. What the bishops are doing is reaffirming, in an uncompromising way, a principle that has stood for two millenniums.

This response implements a basic belief in the right to life, sending a clear message to all Catholics about the seriousness of the matter.

John N. Heil

Los Angeles