Encourage one another
and clergy to rebuild
While Catholics lament the behavior of our leadership, I have hope for the future.
Profligate spending is difficult to digest. Abusive behavior from leaders cannot be tolerated and victims must receive justice from their church. We have a right to be angry.
While attending a conference at Franciscan University of Steubenville, (Ohio), we began with discouragement. By the end of the weekend, we left with renewed hope.
It was apparent the Catholic Church is thriving at FUS and throughout our country. We met people from dioceses nationwide who shared outstanding things happening in their churches. We concluded the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston is being purified by fire and new growth will rise from the ash heap.
In the early 1200s, God called St. Francis of Assisi to “Rebuild My Church.” In the spirit of St. Francis, consider encouraging one another and the faithful clergy to rebuild once again.
It may take time, but the blood of martyrs over the last 2,000 years and today worldwide creates fertile conditions for fresh growth. Scandals will likely continue as long as people are in charge, but I cannot forget our church’s positive influence on the world: Orphanages; hospitals; education systems; the defense of all forms of life; artwork; music; and, the largest charitable organization on the globe.
The foremost reason I could never leave the Catholic Church is the peace I receive in the Eucharist, established by Jesus at the last supper, and offered in mass every hour of every day around the planet. St. Augustine, bishop in North Africa, said a prayer in the late 300s that was on target: “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” There is hope.
John Faini
Morgantown
Manchin can do far more
for state in the Senate
Sen. Joe Manchin has spent nine years building seniority and strong bipartisan relationships in the U.S. Senate, serving as an important voice for our state’s unique needs and interests.
He has worked his way up and now serves as the ranking (Democratic) member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, where he is one of a few powerful individuals dictating the nation’s energy policy.
He is poised to become chairman if his party wins the Senate in 2020. Just as importantly, he serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee at a time when West Virginia desperately needs federal investment and improvements in infrastructure and community development.
That’s why I find it so concerning that he would consider leaving his seat in the Senate to run for governor. There is vital importance in ensuring West Virginians’ voices are heard on these committees by a member with Sen. Manchin’s experience and bipartisan sensibility.
Leaving these committees and his seat would weaken West Virginia’s ability to see our priorities addressed in federal government.
I have voted for Sen. Manchin in every general election that has had his name on the ballot, and I ask him to keep his commitment by serving in full the six-year term to the office for which he was elected.
Kelly Allen
Morgantown
Keep lucky streak
alive at intersection
“Hit them while they’re down.” Sometimes when we watch sports, we forget we’re watching controlled gladiator bloodbaths.
When watching WVU football, we remember that whatever we do to them in the first half, they can do to us in the second. Never let up. Keep the streak alive.
In the history of religion, Martin Luther was famous for exhorting the people to “sin boldly.” This statement, perplexing to the faithful, is an answer to the question The Dominion Post raised about why more accidents don’t happen on Morgantown’s crazy roads, at its intersections and on its traffic circles.
Driving is first defensive, watching out for potential collisions, whether the other driver or pedestrian is fair or not.
But once a good driver makes a decision, rule No. 1 is not to hesitate. So, regarding the Willey Street and Richwood Avenue intersection, it appears everyone is following Luther’s advice.
Until the intersection is fixed, keep the streak alive.
Steven Knudsen
Morgantown
