TO THE EDITOR:
Mr. Coughlin, in his letter of Feb. 6 (Feast of the Holy Japanese Martyrs), wrote that those who endorse and promote abortion are in need of the sacraments. But he has the wrong one for the job. The sacrament of penance and reconciliation is the one needed before Eucharist. Christ himself speaks of this in St. Matthew’s Gospel -- after three attempts to reconcile recalcitrant sinners, cast them forth from the Church. So also St. Paul in 1 Corinthians of those who defile the Eucharist.
“I’m okay and you’re okay” went out with Roe v. Wade. Abortion is a sin against the Holy Spirit, denying virtues of hope and a blasphemy against God’s will and gift of life.
Why did Paul Miki and the martyrs of 2,000 years, beginning with the Holy Innocents of Bethlehem (a prophetic beginning for today’s morals) die for truth and the Gospel? Evil must be confronted, for this is life or death.
Father Richard A. Bucci, West Warwick
