A recent letter implicitly criticized Cardinal O'Malley of Boston, who presided over Sen. Ted Kennedy's funeral Mass, retired Cardinal McCarrick of Washington, D.C., who spoke at his burial, and Pope Benedict XVI, who, "after receiving a letter from the ailing Kennedy asking for prayers, responded with a note assuring the senator of his 'spiritual closeness' and bestowing on him an 'apostolic blessing.'<2009>"

Cardinal O'Malley is strongly anti-abortion but has refused to join bishops wuld deny communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion rights.

"Our ability to change people's hearts and help them to grasp the dignity of each and every life ... is directly related to our ability to increase love and unity in the church," he said, "for our proclamation of the truth is hindered when we are divided and fighting with each other."

The letter writer certainly demonstrated an inability "to increase love and unity in the church." This is one reason the anti-abortion movement is regarded as a fringe element, why the University of Notre Dame shrugged off the anti-abortion movement's criticism in inviting President Barack Obama to speak at its graduation ceremony, and why many Catholics voted for Obama.

Pro-lifers also are regarded as a fringe element because they, along with our church's leaders, refuse to accept artificial contraception to increase the opportunity for love in marriage, as well as reduce the need for abortion. In 2005, 75 percent believed they could be good Catholics without obeying the church hierarchy's teaching on birth control.

Charlie Davis

Fripp Island