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Letters
I have received and read your extraordinary literary publication The Catholic Faith.
It is my impression that owing to its orthodox subject matter, it will soon become sui generis among the plethora of Catholic publications.
-Francis B. Mc Laughlin, FAIC
Farmington Hills, MI
Several years ago I heard you (Father Hardon) speak in Louisville and my heart as well as my hands applauded.
Recently I received information concerning the new magazine, The Catholic Faith. Once again I wish to thank you for your response to our Lord, our God.
May His blessing continue to uplift your heart and grace you as you continue to share for and in the glory of God.
-Louise Worland
The sisters love The Catholic Faith magazine. I have already assigned readings from it for our young sisters.
-Sister Joan, C.R.
New Bedford, MA
A Recommendation
I received my first copy of The Catholic Faith. Since I have read widely what has been written in the Catholic press, I feel I needed to write. I found that your pages are written with charity (for differing opinions), especially the article by Mother Teresa. As well, in humility and love for the faith that is ever growing, developing and yet mysteriously staying the same, you do that faith loving service by using your talents to spread its desire to understand the human condition in light of Revelation and assist mankind toward God.As a recommendation, only because my personal love is writing fiction, I hope you would include fiction in your magazine. Fiction is a way to teach the faith by example. Fiction has, at times, changed civilization. Charles Dickens, for example, showed to the public that the abuse of children was both evil and should be deplored. This is very difficult to do, and I have tried, but you need to find great writers. They need to communicate the tension that exists in fiction, while weaving into their work the Gospel messages. There are only a few magazines doing this and we need many more.
Again, I continue to ask you to be meek, charitable and humble in your magazine. These are some of the ingredients that attract readers.
-Frank Netti
Weedsport, NY
What you say about the power of fiction is definitely true. Certainly fiction, poetry, and all of the arts if done well partake of the truth and can lead to God. We are not adverse to publishing fiction and poetry if it be for the greater glory of God.
-The Editor
Affirming Life
I write to you (John O'Connell) regarding your article in The Catholic Faith Vol. 1, No. 2 ("The Morality of Withholding or Withdrawing Artificial Nutrition and Hydration"). In 1993 I was burned in an apartment fire - over seventy-five percent of my body. I spent four months in a coma. I never responded to external stimulation, to visitors or the radio that was constantly playing. I learned after time that all the people who visited me including doctors and nurses I remembered because I had dreamed of these people repeatedly and upon future visits I realized that they left an imprint on my unconscious mind during their visits.I can recall also the music that was a backdrop to my "dreams." I am therefore led to the conclusion that there is a certain level of consciousness even when one is in a deep comatose state. I also several times experienced out of body phenomena, but not the "embraced by the light" phenomena.
Deus Vous Garde.
-José Angel Martinez, Jr.
Bronx, NY
I am once again reading your timely article, "The Morality of Withdrawing Artificial Nutrition and Hydration" in The Catholic Faith magazine. I remember working with stroke patients in nursing homes several years ago. One particular patient had food and water brought to her three times a day. No one attempted to feed her and she did not have the motor control to even reach for the food.
I was ignorant of this situation until one day I asked her if she wanted a drink of water. She drank the whole glass through a straw and part of another one. I did this everyday for her until she was moved to a different floor. She died a few days later.
I found out later that her daughter had flown in from California shortly after the mother had been admitted to the nursing home to sign the papers that would not allow the staff to insert a feeding tube or try to force her to eat.
Besides starving her to death, they cruelly left a cup of ice water in front of her that she could not reach. One can only imagine the torture this must have caused her.
Recently, two other people, whose children I know died of starvation and dehydration while residing in a nursing home. A conversation with an older woman teacher revealed that her sister, who is a religious, told her that a feeding tube is considered extra-ordinary means by the Catholic Church. Naturally she believes her sister because she is a nun. I told her that her sister was dead wrong and explained to her why she was wrong.
We certainly live in a culture of death but also a culture of ignorance. That is why your article is so timely. I plan to use it to inform people of the TRUTH. Father Hardon, in his latest video tape series on the Gospel of Life also touches on this issue.
Once again, thanks for your article. Might I suggest that you write a similar article on Organ Donations?
-Bill Basic
Durand, MI
We plan to publish more articles on euthanasia in the upcoming year, including at least one that touches on the issue of brain death and organ transplants.
-The Editor
Likes Father Hardon But...
I have admired Father Hardon for many years, have read his good simple writings in various Father Fox magazines, and when I heard he had been asked by the Vatican to do The Catholic Faith, I looked forward to reading same, but alas, so far find number one and two a bit of a hard read for a person with no college, but loves to read the Catholic faith. It is either the layout or words used, sorry. I will try to get through one year.-(Mrs.) Patricia Winter
Kissimmee, FL 34741
Thank you for keeping the faith for at least one year. Maybe by then you will have found that your efforts were well-rewarded.-The Editor