The Rev. Edwin Atlee Garrett III (BDN, Jan. 6) deftly pens an ad hominem view about Pope John Paul II without ever using the Polish-born pontiff’s name. For some non-Catholics and Catholics alike, John Paul II is the Vicar of Christ, regardless of Karol Wojtyla’s view of himself, because of a conclave vote of bishops and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Ecumenical councils through the ages, Apostolic fathers, sacramental directions going back to the martyrs buried in the catacombs up until our day have never wavered from the sacrament of marriage as a union of one man and one woman. Catholic and Orthodox Christians believe marriage to be one of several sacraments and a tenet of Christian faith.

Priests, Bishop Joseph Gerry of Maine and Pope Paul, Bishop of Rome are all indeed not married; however, these clergy can truly minister to those married, unmarried, with cancer, HIV or any other disease no matter where each of us is on our journey. Catholic ministers of Christ don’t have to possess any of our conditions to minister Christ’s love.

One may damn the Catholic church for the grave sin of the inquisition; however, Pope John Paul II’s so-called 13th-century thinking is a blessed accusation since it is also first century thinking, given to us by the Apostles themselves who received it from Jesus of Nazareth.

Bob Kord

Cutler