ARLINGTON (VA)
Royal Examiner [Warren County VA]
March 27, 2024
In response to this published letter to the editor, the writer is misinformed and very much off base. Had they paid attention to the eight years of their Catholic education, or bothered to learn more about their faith and the Church in their adulthood, they’d first of all know there is no Archdiocese of Arlington. They’d know the difference between an Archdiocese and a Diocese; Arlington is the latter, led by a Bishop. And an extremely good one at that, who is a man of great integrity and a true spiritual leader.
Second, the Diocese has an extraordinarily good record regarding these horrible abuse cases which plague not just the Catholic church, but all institutions. Financially, the Diocese is solid, and while other Diocese are aging in their priesthood, Arlington stands proudly among numerous others nationwide who are ordaining exceptional young men to the priesthood, in numbers increasing their ranks. And the writer is of the seemingly erroneous opinion that one “Archdiocese” is financially responsible for the others, there is no truth in that.
The expansion of Catholic institutions has historically been a welcome event not just nationally, but around the world, bringing quality education, hospitals, clinics and other civic benefits to the communities they serve. Western civilization has greatly advanced as a result of the Catholic church. The writer seems unaware of the Church’s positive influence over the centuries for the greater benefit of the world, or conveniently fails to acknowledge that fact.
It’s so easy, and the main stream media seems to enjoy it, to “Catholic bash” in today’s environment. No Catholic church, nor school, nor any institution of any kind, religious or not, is without fault and error, because each is comprised of humans, and we are all prey to temptations and wrongdoings which lead to errors in judgment and simple mistakes, as well as at times, egregious acts. But such are the acts of men, not “the Church,” which, by the way, is led not by the Pope but in fact Jesus Christ. This author seems to think that any location of Church functions to this area, and our economy, is somehow nefarious, yet he offers no substance, no facts, no proof of any sort of misleading intents by the Diocese.
If there are substantive and valid reasons to deny this expansion, then the Board should indeed consider it, among all the factors, and weigh the pros and the cons accordingly. But the cry of baseless anti-Catholicism have no place in our civil society, nor for consideration by any elected official.
Ken Reuwer
Front Royal, VA