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Letters from 31 August to 6 September 2009

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Ted Kennedy and 'the narrative of redemption'

I cannot but agree with Fr. Fisher's thoughtful letter, and at the same time need to note that I happened to be in Martha's Vineyard that fateful day and still am puzzled, to say the least, about the whole event. I confess I am more puzzled than the local people who lived through it.

Regarding Fr. Fisher's letter, it's perfectly understandable to me that each of us has occasion to want to justify/forgive various acts by others that don't suit our expectations or needs. The whole history of the counter-dependent nature of human politics shows this.

But I wonder if it's possible or maybe even helpful to desire some kind of "real truth" about the behavior of not only revered politicians, but also revered Church people?

I was deposed after freely confessing a sin I should not have committed. The fact that both my now ex-wife and the "other woman" involved asked my Bishop not to do so is no longer important.

What is important, perhaps, is that a mighty, powerful person can often avoid the penalties for his or her behavior that are so often easily assessed in the case of us less powerful, mighty persons.

Peter Winterble
St. Ignatius of Antioch
Martinez, Provincia de Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA
peter@winterble.com
1 September 2009

Earlier letters

We launched our 'Letters to AO' section on 11 May 2003. All published letters are in our archives.