Holy Hell

Letters to the Editor
Orange County Weekly
January 13, 2005

http://www.ocweekly.com/columns/letters/letters/19250/

[See also other articles by Gustavo Arellano.]

Editor’s note: Gustavo Arellano received more than 100 e-mails regarding his coverage of the Catholic sex-abuse scandal, many praising him for his "inherently moral and compassionate" character. Here are the other four:

Yes, there are some corrupt individuals within the Church, but does that mean the entire Church itself is corrupt? One thing I’ve always wondered: Is the percentage of child molesters within the Church higher, lower or the same as the percentage of child molesters in any other large organization? Probably the same, but because accepting spiritual guidance from something other than drugs, alcohol, etc. is not fashionable these days, the Church is a great target.

Tricia Mattson
Newport Beach

The editor responds: Interesting point, Tricia, but allow me to offer another reason why the Church is a "great target." It’s because the Church protected priests who raped innocent children. Again, and I want to be clear on this so I’m going to go slow: the CHURCH protected PRIESTS who RAPED innocent CHILDREN. Whatcha think?

I think a good number of these individuals are in this for the money. I keep wondering "Where were the parents?" Fortunately for me, none of the parishes I have belonged to in my 67 years has been accused of having a pedophile priest. God is a just God, so I suggest you leave God to be the judge, lest you be judged also.

Anonymous
via e-mail

I have a degree in journalism. I found little real journalism in your story. Try harder.

Ron Houssaye
Sacramento

I’m a regular reader of the Weekly and have followed your series of stories on the Orange Diocese with interest. Your latest ["The Year in Keeping the Faith," Dec. 31] continues to fascinate me, not for the revelation you are Catholic, but that you are a practicing Catholic. I understand having a cultural affinity for an ethnicity or religion, but I truly don’t understand how a thoughtful person could actively practice any religion. I’m not trying to be personally insulting here, I really am . . . just curious.

Jon Webb
via e-mail

Gustavo Arellano responds: Jon, it’s intellectual bullies like you who give lefties a bad name and turned the Midwest states red. As for you, Ron, I have a JOB in journalism. I found little real criticism in your criticism. Try stopping.