It’s increasingly these days being said that the “Catholic vote” may well be decisive next week.

Given Sen. Obama’s demonstrated willingness to allow the death of babies born alive due to “unsuccessful” abortions, and his open advocacy for the Freedom of Choice Act, which will destroy all successful pro-life initiaves since 1973, there can be no doubt but that you and your brother bishops urgently owe it to your flock, to our Lord, and to the whole of society, to speak UNAMBIGUOUSLY and FORCEFULLY about faithful Catholics’ moral obligation to refrain from voting next week for him, your tax exemption be damned.

You are in my prayers, Cardinal Sean; thank you for your holy ministry.

Frank Hannon
Melrose, MA

Just before you left Florida for Boston, I had the great privilege of meeting you after a May Crowning service. It’s been over four years but I wanted you to know that I always remember to pray for you as you requested when we shook hands. In the hurricanes of ’04, I lost my home and returned to Chicago, where I received the great gift of serving as the Hospice Chaplain for Loyola University Medical Center. In my work with dying Catholics, so often I am saddened at the number who are angry at the Church and have lost their connection…sometimes their faith as well. Having met you gives me the courage to forge ahead, with the help of God, because you helped restore my own faith. I had also left the Church, practicing and ministering as a Lutheran for 8 years. Your deep humility and beautiful faith were such a source of healing for me that within a few months, my years of indecision and struggle had ended. I worked the three day lock-down during Hurrican Francis at St. Lucie Med. Ctr. I was rushing to finish packing and had only an hour to get to the hospital. Suddenly, I knew I could not go there as a Lutheran chaplain. I had been briefed by the Red Cross, which expected enormous casualties. If I was going to die, I wanted to die a Catholic. And I wanted to serve the Catholics in the hospital as a Catholic chaplain. I called my dear friend, Fr. Rynne at St. Martin De Porres, and asked his blessing for me to return to the Church. He said he didn’t think I needed it…that I hadn’t ever really left. But graciously he honored my request. I never could have imagined the wonderful ministry god had prepared for me once I had the courage to finally say this “yes.” I believe it was the power of prayer that spared us from the huge casualties that were anticipated. Alnd, along with the prayers of so many, I believe you were a part of God’s loving plan for me to return to the Catholic Church, after years of great struggle. I also believe meeting you was a part of God’s loving plan toward my work in hospice. No matter how many sad complaints and stories I hear, inside I always have the grace of your example. You showed me that the Holy Spirit is protecting and guiding the Church through servants like you. I often tell people about you…your humble sandals, your beautiful ring…not with a jewel but with the precious last words of Our Blessed Mother engraved. You helped to heal my heart and I will always be grateful. I was so happy to see your blog and for the chance to see how, in countless ways you continue to bring Christ to His people. After I met you, I soon realized of course, the great burden that had been place upon your shoulders. I have always continued to pray for you and always will. God bless you, Sean O’Malley…you are the salt of the earth, Susan De Longis

Tom Flatley was a great man and a very devout soul. I had seen him over recent years at St. Agatha’s in Milton as he went on a daily basis. God bless his family.

Joe R.

Thank you for sharing the beautiful photos of the icons and iconostasis in the chaple of St. Basil’s Seminary in Stamford. You are indeed correct that the chapel is bigger than St. Vladimir’s Cathedral down the street from the seminary. I visited both places in 1979 when Bp Losten was the bishop. God bless you and yours!

Fraternally,
Fr. Jim O’Neal
Korea

I hope that you are well. You are frequently in my prayers. I know you have a very hard and unpopular job but you have my heartfelt respect. I read CNA everyday and I am so proud not to see you on there with your Brother Bishops. Many of their actions and preachings grieve me. I feel like my Church has been hijacked as a reaction to the sexual abuse crisis.

Just yesterday I read Martino’s rejection of the USCCB. This lack of collegiality is a horrible example for the Church and for the world.

Just the other day a religious told me he went to a conference where the Priest declared that “the servant model of the priesthood is dead”… and people cheered. This is horrifying.

The Bishops’ pro-life stances are becoming unkind and less about the humble good shepherd leading his flock to genuine truth. I am as pro-life as anyone can be but I cannot see my stance as a substitute for being charitable and compassionate to those who disagree with me.

Cardinal Sean, I wish more Bishops followed your example. I don’t know why I am writing this to you but as an unworthy prophet, I beg you to pray about this.

Pax et Bonum from Fall River

I appreciate the work you are doing. I am a seminary student at Gordon-Conwell, and there are a few of us here, of whom I am aware, who respect you in Christ. Many others are perhaps uninformed due to the pressures of academic life. May God’s peace and grace continue to attend your ministry, as you rebuild and restore His Church.

Respectcully,
Douglas Dobbins