Strong religious leaders needed

To the editor:

In the his May 8 article, "Communion crisis," Richard Ostling states, "Some bishops have taken the radical step of declaring that officials who are pro-choice shouldn't receive Holy Communion." In defense of the Roman Catholic Church and these bishops, this step is neither radical nor new. In I Corinthians 5:12-13, the Apostle Paul, referring to the church, states: "Are you not to judge those inside? ... Expel the wicked man from among you."

Historian John McGreevy says this is "new ground." What historian calls a stance that is nearly 2,000 years old new? McGreevy also stated that is would be a "terrible mistake" for the church to deny Communion because "Catholic politicians face such complex decisions."

Ostling was wrong to call the stance of the Catholic church radical, and McGreevy was wrong to state that this is new ground.

I applaud the Catholic church for taking a stand, just as I applaud my own denomination when it does so. I praise Jesus for these leaders of our church who are willing to stand for what is right, even when it is not politically correct. I pray there will be more of our church leaders who make a similar stand for what is right before it is too late to make a difference.

MARK K. SLINKARD

Cape Girardeau