Respectful disagreement

In response to the recent Perspectives column in the March 25 issue, “Pope wrongly condemns condoms,”  by Katie Wolf, who stands by her decision to call Pope Benedict XVI an “idiot,” I take serious offense to your choice of words on behalf of Catholics everywhere.

Why is it that people tiptoe around Judaism and even radical Islam, but make no qualms about disrespecting the Catholic faith?  Catholicism has been an acceptable punching bag for decades, specifically in a time of widespread social liberalism in the U.S.  Certainly radical Islam is far more worthy of a seething column topic, but it’s unlikely we’ll see one of those because it could offend believers of Islam here on campus.  However, because Catholics are not in the oppressed minority, they are consistently considered fair game.

The basis for the column about the pope’s comments is sound and reasonable.  It’s true that staunch Catholics oppose the use of birth control, a method of use that could save lives in Africa.  It’s an issue, among others, that causes serious internal discourse within the religion.

That aside, it’s unnecessary and insensitive to degrade a man who has earned more than to be called an “idiot” by a flippant young woman who clearly can’t disagree with someone and respect their position of religious leadership at the same time.

Katey Meisner

Senior journalism major