TO THE EDITOR:
This is in response to the letter published 1/28/2010, “Students too young to defend marriage” by Kathy Pesta in Wakefield, RI.
The writer claims that “we should not use children to swell the numbers for adult protests concerning adult issues.” However, even though she states that she is an educator, she fails to realize that these children have already been indoctrinated by various media to support same sex marriage.
Despite Ms. Pesta’s claims, this was not an attempt by the diocese to “swell the numbers” or brainwash children. I was part of the focus group that worked with Carol Owens of the Office for Life and Family Ministry and Dr. Paul Gondreau to help develop a best approach on how to reach teens with this sensitive issue. I was also present while Christopher Plante and Dr. Gondreau spoke to the freshman class at Bishop Hendricken. What was telling was that these freshman possessed the intellectual tools and maturity to present questions and challenges to Catholic teaching on gay marriage. It was also indicative that some of these students used the same terminology that is so prevalent in the gay marriage propaganda we see in the media today. The media and society stole from these children any innocence they may have had toward same-sex marriage. What the diocese is trying to accomplish is to counteract that with the truth.
Ms. Pesta in her letter shares her belief that same-sex marriage will not threaten the sacredness of traditional marriage. This response is typical of the apathy in so many Catholics in Rhode Island. Sadly many feel that Catholicism should be confined to church on Sundays and the privacy of their homes. As Christ mentioned in Luke 11:33, we are called not to hide our light under a basket, but to place it where others can see it. As Catholics, we are all called to stand against same-sex marriage which seeks to convince society that two gay mothers or two gay fathers can replace God’s perfect model of one father and one mother. This is a threat not only to a healthy society but to the healthy development of children.
Robert Alves
West Warwick
