Don't go changing.

We have been subscribers to U.S.CATHOLIC magazine for a number of years, as well as other Catholic and secular magazines. With the election of Pope Benedict XVI and his pronouncement of reaching out for unification, it was our hope that he would try to reunite our church first in the spirit of Cardinal Bernardin's call for dialogue. With the call for Father Thomas Reese of the Jesuit magazine America to resign, it appears the pope is attempting to purge the church of anyone who does not think the way he thinks. I am truly disappointed and believe it is the "Reformation Part II"--only hopefully it will be bloodless.

Please do not change your wonderfully open policy of expression, which we have enjoyed and admired over the years. Don't turn the clock back to those guilt-ridden years. We try to remember that Jesus came for the sinner and not for the righteous.

Larry and Pat Rose

York Beach, Maine

As a subscriber, I've written in the past about my admiration for and enjoyment of your magazine. As bizarre as it felt, I sent an e-mail to Pope Benedict XVI when I heard about the removal of Father Thomas Reese, editor of America magazine. The sadness I felt at this move, which I saw as fear-based and punitive, impacted me very strongly.

I just finished your June commemorative issue on the papacy. As usual, I was reminded how at home it feels to read about like-minded people. My concern is that there may be a tendency to "crack down" on liberal magazines. I don't know how that would play out, but my prayer is that you don't have to change or give up your work.

May God guide all of us in the beginning of this new papacy. May we find a way to be united in the love we all feel for our church and our God, now and in the years ahead.

Nancy Rocereto

Haddonfield, N.J.