Rus’ and RussiaIn “The West Knows Best?” (5/19), Margot Patterson writes that in the 13th century “Russia’s western neighbors took advantage of her weakness to seize portions of Russia and the western half of Ukraine and to annex these to Western Christendom.” Thi

The Role of ConscienceEditor’s note: Lisa Fullam, an associate professor of moral theology at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, Calif., a graduate school of Santa Clara University, responds to “The Ethics of Exit,” by Daniel J. Daly (6/9). Her letter expresses concerns rai

Love and TruthThere is much to commend in “Simply Loving,” by James Martin, S.J. (5/26). There is no doubt that “loving the sinner, while hating the sin” is easier for God than for man. We imperfect and fallen humans tend to either love both or hate both. It is hard to get it

Similar WitnessRe “What Martyrdom Means,” by Patrick Gilger, S.J. (5/12): In so many ways, the story of the life and death of Frans van der Lugt, S.J., echoes the story of the seven Trappist monks who lived among Algerians in Tibhirine and who were kidnapped and beheaded during the Alger

Christ at CenterI very much appreciated “Redefining Success,” by Brian B. Pinter (5/12). After 27 years teaching at the college level, I am more and more convinced of the crucial importance of the formation in faith that students receive in high school. It is often determinative for thei

Writing in the WorldI read with interest “Writers Blocked?” by Kaya Oakes (4/28), an assessment of Catholic writing today. The “Golden Age” writers Thomas Merton, Flannery O’Connor and Walker Percy were read, not because they were Catholic but because they had something

Writer RespondsI read “Writers Blocked?” by Kaya Oakes (4/28), about Catholic writing today, with some bewilderment. While I agree with much of what she says, Ms. Oakes makes a number of odd or erroneous statements about my literary and cultural views. The oddest of all: “Gioia cal

True GreatnessI was surprised and grateful to read “Ford’s Foundation,” by Aaron Pidel, S.J. (3/31), about the true greatness of John C. Ford, S.J.When I was a young Jesuit in philosophy studies at Weston College, Father Ford helped me greatly to deal with a number of spi

Conscience IntegralWhile rightly sounding an alarm about the dangers of a growing secular culture antagonistic to deeply held religious values, “Our Secular Future,” by R. R. Reno (2/24), gives short shrift to the rights of conscience. “Liberty of Religion and of Conscience,”

Intersex RealityRe “When the Law Is a Crime” (Editorial, 3/10): In Jesus Christ there is no male or female (sexism), no Greek or Jew (ethnocentrism or religious sectarianism), no slave or free (classism) because all are one in Jesus Christ.There are countless species of life on earth in