Letters: Amidst closings, diocese denying Columbus Paulist priests forced from Newman Center

A gift denied

All were welcome at the St. Thomas More Newman Center until Earl Fernandes, the new Bishop of Columbus, abruptly closed the center one year ago.

The four Paulist priests who served at the Newman Center were offered insulting positions, if they chose to remain.

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In May ("Bishop optimistic with choice to close 15 churches"), Bishop Fernandes announced a “new adventure” for the Diocese of Columbus by closing 15 Catholic churches.

Several reasons were given however the main reason, lack of priests.

And the Paulist priests were let go?

The Newman community has received so much from these Paulist priests. They served the Columbus Diocese for 66 years.

They shared their spirituality, ecumenism, evangelization and reconciliation. The parishioners have loved deeply what they shared and grieve deeply. Our community was arguably the most vibrant, enthusiastic community in the diocese.

Since the bishop closed the Newman Center, the student and resident community are becoming involved in other churches — not all are Catholic — some are finding other faith communities to trust.

Unfortunately, and sadly, the diocese has denied Columbus the gift of the Paulist priests.

Rose Deffet, Columbus

Two wolves and a lamb

Now that the dust has settled on Issue 1, I am reminded of a quote from a few years ago: “Democracy can’t be two wolves and a lamb deciding what’s for dinner.”

Remember this approach when discussing the abortion issue. Protecting the minority is imbedded in the founding of our country.

1. This is shown in the Senate where small state senators (Rhode Island or Wyoming) are equal to large state senators (California or New York).

2. The Electoral College that helps protect the interests and opinions of the small states against the larger states.

3. Constitutional amendments that require the approval of 2/3 of the state legislatures. A high bar indeed to help protect the minority.

These facts get us back to the difficult abortion issue. The compromise will end up somewhere between the heartbeat bill and killing a viable baby. Please remember at your next voting opportunity.

Abortion: Two wolves and a lamb choosing what is for dinner.

James Revelos, Columbus

Donald Trump's addiction

In spite of the fact that he was (and remains) completely unsuited to holding public office; in spite of the fact that he cares nothing about our constitution, democracy, or anyone but himself, Donald Trump excels at getting indicted.

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I’m in awe of his prowess in that department — he keeps racking indictments up at an astonishing clip.

He’s pretty good at name-calling and blustering, too.

Witch Hunt!

Weaponized DOJ!

I Did Nothing Wrong!

Indiscriminate gaslighting in which he accuses lawyers, district attorneys, private citizens, and nearly everybody but himself of doing the very things that he did — whereas he remains unsullied…pure-as-the-ol’-driven-snow.

The late American actress Tallulah Bankhead was far more accurate in her personal assessment: “I’m as pure as the driven slush.”

Tallulah was clever and honest about her moral turpitude. Poor Donald can’t break his "witch hunt" addiction.

If we’ve got to endure his hypocritical rants for the duration of all his trials (4 and counting!), could somebody please write him a new script?

The current selection of ranting points has worn so thin that I’d think even his most ardent worshippers could see straight through to the lies.

Candy Canzoneri, Westerville

Short enough for a forehead tattoo

The Issue 1 run up and vote and was a disgrace for the "yes" side.

Please run an article on every GOP elected official in Ohio, past or present, whose public actions over the past four months demonstrate the minimum requirements of good citizenship. It will be an article short enough to tattoo on one's forehead.

Mike DeWine, John Kasich, Bob Taft and other quiet, docile hopers for a better party, do not qualify.

Never mind, of course, Matt Huffman, Frank LaRose, Rob McColley, James Hoops and other elected GOP hacks, loyal to party over state, party over people, party over principle, party uber alles.

I am an old Jesse Jackson "radical" whose belief in problem-solving pragmatism puts me slightly to the left of Bernie Sanders on the political spectrum.

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Yet, 70% of my oldest friends and 35% of my closest family members are reliably conservative/Republican/Trumpists, one single group except for the few willing to be publicly brave.

I do not view conservative/Republican/Trumpists as immoral or unintelligent. At all. I often wish I could.

Still, I did not invent the rules of good citizenship.

Good citizens believe in open, free and fair elections, not gerrymandering, voter suppression, voter deceit or election manipulation.

Good citizens believe in the primacy of the rule of law, not authoritarianism, not corporatism, not nihilism, not political idolatry, not misogyny, not racism, not permanent institutional advantage.

Good citizens raise their voices loudly and persistently in defense of representative democracy, a free press, facts, evidence, truth and good governance, no matter if it puts them at odds with their friends, family, party or wallet.

Citizens can disagree on policies, practices and programs, but not the obligations of basic citizenship.

Write your article. It won't take long.

Rob Downey, Columbus

For freedom and country

Americans value our freedoms – our freedom to elect leaders who respect our will expressed in the votes we cast, protect our interests, and govern in our name.

Now, multiple grand juries of everyday Americans across races, backgrounds, and parties have indicted the former MAGA president for his criminal conspiracy to incite supporters in the deadly January 6th assault on our country, attempt to overthrow the will of the people, and theft of national security documents.

Yet the MAGA Republicans in office — and running for office — that supported, schemed, and covered up for him want to overturn our legal system to allow him to evade consequences, while they carry on this criminal conspiracy and seize power unchecked.

From the House of Representatives to the Supreme Court to state legislatures, they want to take away our freedoms and rule for the wealthy few.

We must come together and demand that anyone who aided, abetted, or excused the MAGA criminal conspiracy be held accountable so we can make this a place where our leaders honor our voices and their oaths, and protect our freedoms and our country.

Sherry McMillen, Cuyahoga Falls

A rot within our political system

The Aug. 15 headline "Trump assails election case judge," is more than infuriating and highly suspicious.

First, the timing of the indictment and proposed trial date has been proposed in order to disrupt campaigning by Trump, assuming he is the Republican candidate.

Second, it is prima facia evidence of the rot within our political system. Whether federal, state, or local levels, government has been used to attack and discredit enemies of those currently in power.

Third, the Democratic Party and members of the party holding political positions are intent on securing in perpetuity their control of government and are willing to sacrifice and destroy our constitutional republic.

Importantly, the institution of a free press is complicit in these heinous schemes, including this paper that most likely will not publish this letter to the editor.

Timothy Michael, Columbus

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Letter: Year after ejecting Newman Center priests, Bishop Fernandes closing churches