Following are NCR reader responses to recent news articles, opinion columns and theological essays with letters that have been edited for length and clarity.
Psychological care for religious
Psychological science helps to support us through the common developmental passages of life along a continuum to treating more serious mental conditions (globalsistersreport.org, June 24, 2024). If we get beyond the now fading negative stigma/stereotypes, we see that psychology is a tool to help everyone grow, discern future possibilities such as religious / consecrated life, and maximize our potential. Sister Clare's article notes that candidates to religious life are now generally required to have a psychological assessment before and / or during formation, and I have performed hundreds of them. Beyond that, this same support can be utilized for any vocational choice, be it the single life, married life, clergy, or consecrated life. The Gospel is a call to inner freedom and empowerment. Jesus spent his ministry helping others to claim that birthright. We all have been called to do the same. Psychological assessment, and psychological science in general, are some of the many wonderful tools our good God has graced us with in order to share Good News in a world much in need of it.
BROTHER BERNARD SEIF, SDB
Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania
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Election clearer than ever
I see the upcoming election as well as the presidential race itself as clear and hopeful, not muddled and frightening (ncronline.org, July 22, 2024). The latter descriptions are likely the feelings of many Republicans who thought they could deflect the spotlight from Trump's mental vacuity by focusing upon President Biden's occasional slips. Now the paradigm has changed and the felon will face another prosecutor but this time in an election.
Vice President Harris has raised a record amount of contributions with the lion's share from small donors who represent votes. She has already amassed the number of delegates she needs to win the nomination and the people of the Democratic base are on board and enthusiastic. The fact the Republicans are whining about the "lack of democratic norms in Harris's election" is just more ironic nonsense which tells us the GOP is losing and knows it.
I can recall virtually every election in which I first voted in 1970 having been labeled the most important. None of those were elections wherein the outcome would determine if we retain our democratic republic or degenerate into plutocratic autocracy. Vice President Harris' nomination, and election, would at least assure us that our 250 year old experiment in self governance has a future and our diverse and pluralistic society is our greatest strength, not a weakness.
CHARLES A LE GUERN
Granger, Indiana
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Eucharistic Conference, a success?
There has been an obvious spin from the National Eucharistic Revival leadership and their allied media, like EWTN and Relevant Radio, to frame the gathering in a glowing light (ncronline.org, July 17, 2024). But looking at the reality, how much was it a disconnect from American Catholics and the global Church? After projections for 80,000 attendees, only 50,000 tickets sold — some at discounted prices. In a nation with an estimated 70 million Catholics, only 50,000 came? Pictures and livestream videos showed a constant stream of cassocks, male Church leadership and habited religious orders portraying faith absorbed in piety and devotion. Looking at the speaker lists and Revival leadership, one notices affiliations with Franciscan University of Steubenville, Augustine Institute, EWTN, OSV, with financing for the event from like minded apostolates. Perhaps the most glaring image from the Revival, which speaks volumes, was the placing of the monstrance on the Indiana War Memorial to conclude the procession through the streets of Indianapolis — a sacrilege to the Prince of Peace which amplifies how the coordinating voices of the National Eucharistic Revival represent a segment of the American Church that is at war with society and distanced from a sincere engagement of synodality that entails encountering and listening to the American Church and broader culture.
BARB BORN
Seal Beach, California
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