1. Open Letter to Rev. John Auer

Comment #201827 by ali80906 on June 30, 2008 at 9:47 am

i grew up in this church. my mother sang in the choir and chaired the stewardship and various other committees throughout her life. i made my 1st communion, confirmation, and was married in this church. father john married me. father john also officiated the memorial service we had when my parents were killed.

i am much younger than mr. murphy, and i do not know any of the priests he makes mention of. i do not remember when there was no school or st.paul's church.

i would like to make a comment on his open letter. i think what he and his family have had to experience is beyond horrible. i also think that they had every right to demonstrate. however, i do not believe that father john was completely out of line asking them to vacate. i do not know how the interaction took place.

knowing father john, it probably wasn't the most polite, well mannered of conversations. however, i believe he was trying to protect his parishioners. i have attended this church since i was 8 years old. i am now 31. i have never witnessed any pedophiliac anything, nor have i heard of any rumors that state that.

i am not at all suggesting this story was made up. the man or men who committed these disgusting act should face nothing less than death, a view i reserve only for those who commit crimes against children. i am just suggesting that one must not jump to conclusions.

this country was founded on the belief that we could worship how we chose. you may think Catholics are horrible monsters, but, please be respectful of each individual's right to worship as he pleases.

not every Catholic was molested, and not every priest was or is a pedophile.

and, honestly, when you believe that, it really takes away sympathy for the victims of these horrible crimes. you can't just lump all catholics or all priests into 1 category. it isn't right and it isn't true.

st.paul's was a great church. i believe it still is, for the most part. i do not care for father john. i never have. but, he is a good man. i do not know what is happening over there as i have not lived in colorado springs in 7 years, and i do not keep in touch with anyone who attends this church.

but, please, be respectful of this church. not all catholics are crazy, guilt-ridden hypocrites. of course, there are many who are, but look at the new life church scandals! there are just as many crazy christian hypocrites over there, just as there are crazy christian hypocrites everywhere. just like there are jewish hypocrites, agnostic hypocrites, muslim, hindu, buddhist, baptist, atheist, satanist, etc...

i do not read the bible, i do not pretend to understand it, and i do not try to live by it's words, but i do believe in god, and i believe that no one can judge another human being.

i am not a perfect person. but neither are any of you. i respect your right to believe whatever you want. i ask that you do the same.