Local commentary supports SDACT campaign
The following letter to the editor appeared in the Scranton Times Tribune, April 12, 2008
Similar situation
Editor: From a human rights perspective, Bishop Joseph Martino’s refusal to allow the unionization of diocesan teachers flies in the face of reason. Historically, labor unions have brought dignity, improved working conditions and worker representation to the coal fields and to the garment industry that fueled this nation’s economy for decades.
Accordingly, there appears to be strong support in the area for the right of Catholic school teachers to unionize. Thus, many Catholics disagree with the position of Bishop Martino and the Diocese of Scranton.
On Easter Sunday, however, tens of thousands of Catholics attended Mass in churches across the diocese. Does this represent a contradiction by loyal, churchgoing Catholics who disagree with their bishop yet choose to worship in diocesan churches? Should those Catholics have scorned their bishop and their churches and led their families out of church because they didn’t agree with a position taken by their bishop and the diocese? The answer must be, surely not!
The Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has been criticized over his continued attendance at the sermons by his minister, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Would any person of reason expect that Barack Obama should scorn Rev. Wright and his church and lead his family out of church because he doesn’t agree with a position taken by Rev. Wright? Again, the answer can only be, surely not!True equality means, in part, that we are all entitled to be measured by the same standards. Northeastern Pennsylvanians should have a better perspective over the Rev. Wright controversy. A similar issue exists in the Scranton Diocese.
TERRY McALLISTER
DUNMORE
Similar situation
Editor: From a human rights perspective, Bishop Joseph Martino’s refusal to allow the unionization of diocesan teachers flies in the face of reason. Historically, labor unions have brought dignity, improved working conditions and worker representation to the coal fields and to the garment industry that fueled this nation’s economy for decades.
Accordingly, there appears to be strong support in the area for the right of Catholic school teachers to unionize. Thus, many Catholics disagree with the position of Bishop Martino and the Diocese of Scranton.
On Easter Sunday, however, tens of thousands of Catholics attended Mass in churches across the diocese. Does this represent a contradiction by loyal, churchgoing Catholics who disagree with their bishop yet choose to worship in diocesan churches? Should those Catholics have scorned their bishop and their churches and led their families out of church because they didn’t agree with a position taken by their bishop and the diocese? The answer must be, surely not!
The Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has been criticized over his continued attendance at the sermons by his minister, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Would any person of reason expect that Barack Obama should scorn Rev. Wright and his church and lead his family out of church because he doesn’t agree with a position taken by Rev. Wright? Again, the answer can only be, surely not!True equality means, in part, that we are all entitled to be measured by the same standards. Northeastern Pennsylvanians should have a better perspective over the Rev. Wright controversy. A similar issue exists in the Scranton Diocese.
TERRY McALLISTER
DUNMORE
posted by SDACT at
9:12 AM
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