Letters to the Editor
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‘Fathering a Father’
In regard to John Brunson’ “Fathering a Father,” Mr Brunson is a businessman and it is no surprise that he should approach his son’ possible vocation from his point of view [Oped, “Father ing a Father,” April 6-8, 2007].
But, in spite of many opinions from many different directions to the contrary, Jesus Christ didn’t establish the church as a business.
Not that candidates shouldn’t have basic financial common sense and respect for the financial rights of others, but a call to the priesthood is, by definition, a call from God the Holy Spirit to be both a sign of contradiction against the selfish tendencies of fallen human nature and inclination to evil, as well as an embracing of the “foolish values of the cross in the special role of sharer in the priesthood of Jesus, the great high priest of the new covenant.
Hence, including the taking into account of necessary human requirements such as health and basic natural aptitudes, application to the holy priesthood must be discerned spiritually with the only goal of finding and doing the will of God.
THE REVEREND ALFRED GUTHRIE
St. Matthias R.C. Church
Ridgewood, N.Y.
