Letters to the Editor

Faith in the Church

To the Editor:

We were disappointed with Amara Rockar's characterization of the Archdiocese's response to the Grand Jury's recent investigation ("Shifting blame in the church," DP, 9/27/05).

The heart of the Archdiocese's response is found in Cardinal Justin Rigali's letter to Philadelphia parishioners this past weekend: "I acknowledge the considerable suffering experienced by victims of abuse and offer my sincere apologies. Words alone can never bring about healing, and so we continue to offer assistance to anyone who has been abused."

We praise the Archdiocese not only for its recognition of past wrongs, but also for its willing cooperation with investigators. In addition, it has been proactive in establishing strict policies to protect children.

As Catholics at Penn, we stand by our local priests who, together with priests throughout the world, dedicate their lives to serving others every day. Father Charles Zlock, the new chaplain of the Penn Newman Catholic Student Center, has taken the initiative in proposing a forum to facilitate honest discussion about these issues.

Our Christian tradition teaches us that the spiritual life involves a constant death and resurrection, and our hope is that, by these hardships, the Church will emerge more resolute and more faithful. The vibrant congregation that packs Masses on campus is example enough to demonstrate this promise.

Brian McCarthy, College '06

John Di Camillo, College '06

Frank-Paul Sampino College '07

The Authors are members of the Newman Council Good principals?

To the Editor:

The article about standardized testing scores at the University City area elementary schools ("Penn-Alexander outscores others with ties to Penn," DP, 9/28/05) was notable because two of the three principals mentioned in the article declined to comment. Are these the sort of leaders that should be heading our schools?

The subject matter of the article was an issue of significant interest to the public. We do pay for these schools, after all, and our children attend them. If a principal is not smart enough to know that he should comment on issues of concern to their community or does not have the courage to speak to a reporter, he should find another line of work. As a resident of University City, I think that the School Reform Commission should take a hard look at the principals at the Wilson School and the Penn Alexander School.

Matthew Wolfe, College '78

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