Letter to the Editor from Mt. Airy

Published: July 15, 2004

To the Editor:

How sad that on this Independence Day I am troubled by an editorial in The Georgia Bulletin (July 1). Father (William) Byron’s premise of a specific relationship of human dignity and independence is valid. Too bad it is marred by introduction of a reference to Abu Ghraib prison, an event that has little but political justification for its embellishment by the media and, unfortunately, others who have specific agenda to promote. Yes, behavior of a very few at Abu Ghraib was scandalous but hardly worthy of consideration as a “national disgrace” and an indictment of all Americans as to their “growing disregard for human dignity.”

At Mass this weekend I had ample opportunity to note the “independence” practiced by many Catholics who at the same time exemplified an erosion of human dignity; attending Mass and partaking of the Eucharist while clothed most inappropriately in shorts and/or other items more suitable for the beach or backyard. These were not working people who had neither time nor resources to do better but freshly groomed in clothes clean and pressed, deliberately chosen attire for this solemn occasion.

Father speaks of prayer and penance and a conscious effort to associate the idea of independence with human dignity as a means of helping to overcome the problem he addresses. He might better have addressed the problem of Catholics whose practice of independence leads them to practice their faith “independently” as well.

Theodore F. Maznicki

Mt. Airy