Editorial

What is being labeled as a "phony cloning ban" by pro-life groups seems to be on a fast track for passing in the Wisconsin Senate.

Both major state pro-life groups -- Pro-Life Wisconsin and Wisconsin Right to Life -- are warning that a bill authored by Senator Mark Meyer (D-La Crosse) would allow human embryos to be cloned and then killed for medical experimentation.

"It is apparent that Senator Mark Meyer and the State Senate leadership are carrying the water for UW-Madison and the bio-tech industry who want the option of cloning human lives in order to have a ready supply of living human embryos on which to experiment," charged Susan Armacost of Wisconsin Right to Life. "The most chilling part is that they see no ethical problem in doing this."

Vote on Jan. 22. Meyer's bill had already been scheduled for a vote in the state Senate on Jan. 22. This happens to be the 29th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion -- not a coincidence in the minds of pro-lifers.

Peg Hamill of Pro-Life Wisconsin accused Senate majority leader Chuck Chvala (D-Madison) of being "committed to furthering the culture of death by advancing legislation that would mandate killing a certain class of human beings. By doing so on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, he has slapped the face of every pro-life Wisconsinite."

Alternative measure. State pro-life groups support another human cloning ban, Assembly Bill 699 authored by Representative Steve Kestell (R-Elkhart Lake). This measure would ban human cloning for any reason. Concerned citizens are urged to register in support of this bill at a public hearing Jan. 25 at 9 a.m. before the Assembly Committee on Health.

Notice any similarities? There are some similarities between efforts to legalize abortion prior to the 1973 Supreme Court decision and efforts to legalize human cloning today. Support for these measures has been touted as being humanitarian and progressive, while those who oppose abortion and cloning are characterized as cold-hearted and conservative.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Those who oppose abortion and human cloning do so out of respect for all human life. "The principle that human beings (embryos) should not be used as an object or 'sacrificed' is always valid, even when others might benefit from that practice," said Archbishop Renato Martino, Vatican nuncio to the U.S. speaking in New York to a U.N. committee considering a resolution against reproductive cloning. Martino also spoke against "therapeutic cloning," the production of human embryos as suppliers of specialized stem cells.

We must continue to urge our legislators to protect all human life at every stage and support a true ban on all human cloning.

Mary C. Uhler, editor

Mailbag

To the editor:

	Mailbag policy We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. Limit letters to 200 words or less. All letters must be signed. Send letters to: Mailbag The Catholic Herald P.O. Box 44985 Madison, WI 53744-4985 Fax: 608-821-3071 E-mail: info@madisoncatholicherald.org

The Dec. 20, 2001 Catholic Herald included an article by Joan Sweeney on offering Scripture wisdom in an upside-down world. Under the first section of that article, what is to be made of the ambiguity of the question, "How did she (Mary) live through uncertainty?" If Mary's "uncertainty" is meant as uncertainty in her faith, the question is upside-down teaching.

There was nothing uncertain in Mary's faith. Her reply to Gabriel, "Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord," was full surrender with no shadow of uncertainty in "may it be done to me according to your word." If the "uncertainty" in the article is meant to express Mary's pilgrimage of faith in which she had to discover the unfolding of her surrender, a clarification is necessary in order to convey wisdom derived from the Scriptures. Luke plainly states Mary's visit to Elizabeth flowed from Mary's full surrender.

Also under the section about Joseph, to claim that Joseph decided to wed the pregnant Mary rather than cast her aside is incompatible with the witness of Scripture. In Jewish custom, marriage took place in two stages, the betrothal as true and legal marriage and, after an interval, the husband brought the wife into his own home. Matthew states Mary was found with child after the betrothal and "before they lived together." Matthew then adds "Joseph her husband" to be a righteous man. A self-righteous man could cast Mary aside, but a righteous man could not. Joseph was aware he was involved in a mystery of God which meant he could not expose Mary to the law of Moses. The only solution he could see was quiet divorce in their marriage relationship.

Both Mary and Joseph experienced angelic annunciation. Joseph received understanding of the mystery of Mary's pregnancy and received direction to proceed with the second stage of marriage. Joseph reacted with the same obedience Mary reacted to her angelic annunciation.

Fr. Robert Buholzer, Stoughton

Thanks for support of Knights' work

To the editor:

On behalf of my fellow brother Knights of University of Wisconsin Catholic Center Council 6568 Knights of Columbus, I wish to thank you and The Catholic Herald for the continued support shown our council and programs of assistance to church, community, council, family and youth.

The recent article on the reception of the council of national, state, and local awards was very much appreciated. We don't do what we do for awards, but it is nice to know that others do appreciate what we do and our achievement recognitions.

May God continue to bless your ministry of Catholic information and communication.

Dave Johannes, Grand Knight
Knights of Columbus Council 6568, Madison

God is complete as father, mother

To the editor:

In defense of Keith Massey's letter on the many roles of God, I remember being told by a priest in Minnesota that God can be both a father and a mother to us. I was shocked at the time, but now I am beginning to understand. We can go to God with everything. God is complete.

Anne Gordhamer, Madison

How to encourage church vocations

Editor's note: In the Jan. 17th issue of The Catholic Herald, we asked readers to tell us their opinions on encouraging church vocations. Here are some of their responses. If you would like to add your ideas to this discussion, write to: Vocation Comments, The Catholic Herald, P.O. Box 44985, Madison, WI 53744-4985; fax: 608-821-3071; e-mail: info@madisoncatholicherald.org. Please include your name and address.

Build Catholic schools

To the editor:

An easy question to answer: renovate and build (Catholic) schools. When we close a school, we lose a vocation. Plus train lay people and religious to be teachers. We are reaping the results of school closings in the past. Vocations depend on Catholic education in the future.

Charles A. Woehrl, Madison

Students should read Catholic publications

To the editor:

Require religion class students to read Catholic newspapers and magazines and missionary journals and to report on news about Pope John Paul II, our diocese's bishop, Catholic school systems, ecumenical meetings, converts, Catholic politicians, actors, and business people. The Catholic press is an excellent inspiration to all Catholics. Our young people need this additional education to possibly think about being involved as a brother, priest, or sister.

Lucille Herbst, Shullsburg

Nominate candidates

To the editor:

A few years ago our parish asked us to submit names of individuals who might consider vocations, giving our names. I submitted the name of a lady (a very competent office worker) whom I thought would be a very good sister. She was contacted. Just this year she took her first vows as a sister. This might be an idea (for other parishes) to try.

Anonymous