To Jeff E. Jared, Christopher Hitchins, Robert Dawkins and all those who constantly malign the Catholic Church and clergy: I will dare to use the words that Jesus spoke when He was being crucified by those who judged and condemned Him, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” (Luke 23:34).

And to all the faithful priests, thank you, and God bless each and every one of you for the holy and good lives you live, and for your lives of sacrifice. I am sorry for the undeserved and habitual abuse you have to take on behalf of the small minority who have broken their vows of chastity and caused so much pain in innocent lives.

Colette Elbert, Kirkland