Liberating theology.

FEW WILL CONSIDER HENRI NOUWEN A LIBERATION theologian in the strict sense of that term. Yet, that is what he was. In reading the quotes from Ed Wojcicki's article, "Broken yet beloved: What I've learned from Henri Nouwen" (April), it is very clear that those who were touched by Henri's deep spirituality became liberated in a very real sense.

As a friend of Henri's for 20 years beginning with my years at Yale, I watched and marveled at the effect he had on the people around him. To be sure he was not, nor did he attempt to be, "holier than thou." Largely, this was because, as Wojcicki indicated, Henri was in tune with his own moods, depressions, and Struggles.

The amazing thing about Henri, however, was that when it came to ministry he never let his own frailty get in the way. A person feeling beaten, depressed, lost, and lonely could right before my eyes be changed by Henri's presence, his listening, a word of consolation, a brief prayer. What he did is exactly what Jesus did--he healed people, he liberated them. I know, because it happened with me and my life was changed forever.

Steven E. Berry Los Angeles, Calif.

I so much liked Wojcicki's article because, besides quoting liberally from Henri himself, he finds those of varying backgrounds and involvement with Henri to make his point. Together they give wonderful balance and meaning to Henri's story.

My favorite line in the article is the quote from Wendy Greer: "He gathered people and challenged us to proclaim the truth of our belovedness." Wojcicki's personal relationship through his "Open Letters to Henri" is an added bonus. Thank you for the beautiful and inspirational treatment. This is not only Henri's story, but the story of each one of us.

Sue Mosteller Literary executrix of the Henri Nouwen estate Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Wojcicki writes of Henri Nouwen like one portrays a friend of the heart. Wojcicki's article again belies his deep interest in Nouwen's spirituality as well as his passion to share that knowledge with others.

He also seems very intrigued by the magnetic field that draws others toward Henri and what exactly it is that touches so many varied souls in his writings. It seems an easy answer but one that is difficult to express. Nouwen had such a deep faith but wrestled constantly with his impulses to please others even when doing so was a serious distraction. This seems true for all of us who are serious about spirituality in today's arena. Instead of days of neatly wrapped prayers, works, and meditation, most are, at best, clumsily packaged.

Barbara Fuhrwerk Springfield, Ill.

U.S. CATHOLIC is to be commended not only for including Wojcicki's finely wrought article, but also a forum for those who want to learn more about Henri Nouwen and his books--the sidebar on Nouwen's "best" was a great addition to an already terrific article.

Linda Cook Davenport, Iowa 

Right a wrong

I thoroughly enjoyed Heidi Schlumpf's article on Mary Magdalene and the celebrations that are being held to honor her ("Who framed Mary Magdalene?" April). The article was thoroughly researched and well-written, and I congratulate Schlumpf. I hope the news about the injustice done to the image of this precious companion to Jesus will one day be rectified.

Thanks for doing your part.

Janelle Lazzo Roeland Park, Kan.

Fruits of labor

In the editors' interview with Joyce Rupp, "The art of cultivating spiritual growth" (April), Rupp was asked: "How do you describe yourself?" To which she responded: "I always ask people to introduce me as a farmer's daughter ... because my writing comes out of my roots on the farm."

Cultivating is a farm word. Cultivating is what we used to do to the corn in northwest Iowa in the '40s, '50s, and '60s. We attached the cultivator to the tractor and moved carefully and precisely through the rows of corn, breaking up the hardened soil, stirring up the deeper softer soil and removing the weeds. This process enabled the planted kernel of corn to grow to full maturity and yield a golden harvest.

Rupp has been my spiritual director for six or seven years. She has helped me to soften some of my hardness, rid myself of some of my bitterness and resentments, and stir up the deepest part of my being where God/love dwells.

The spiritual growth she has cultivated in me is yielding a bountiful harvest of touching, moving, and directing others to a greater intimacy with God, others, and their own real values. This, in turn, makes me truly free to be for others what God has planned.

Father Dale George Sioux City, Iowa 

What a wonderful interview. Whether you call her a writer, retreat guide, spiritual director, or farmer's daughter, Joyce Rupp is simply very good at what she does, namely, helping ordinary people discover the sacred in their ordinary lives.

Although she claims she is not an academic theologian, her writing always flows from a solid, healthy theology, and her ability to be open to a variety of religious traditions while remaining grounded in her own is a mark of a truly mature and free spirit.

Ginny Silvestri St. Clair Shores, Mich.

Ban the bomb, now

Thank you for the April Sounding Board by Bishop Leroy T. Matthiesen, "Let's do away with nuclear bombs now," issuing a strong call for the elimination of nuclear weapons. His words are so needed, as too many people have forgotten about the threat that nuclear weapons pose for our world. And, as he suggests, the church must lead by example by declaring nuclear deterrence as morally unacceptable.

In 1998, on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the peace pastoral, 94 U.S. bishops, including Bishop Matthiesen, took the lead in doing this. They signed a letter, developed by Pax Christi USA, called "The Morality of Nuclear Deterrence: An Evaluation."

They ended their letter saying, "Nuclear deterrence as a national policy must be condemned as morally abhorrent because it is the excuse and justification for the continued possession and further development of these horrendous weapons. We urge all to join in taking up the challenge to begin the effort to eliminate nuclear weapons now, rather than relying on them indefinitely."

Two years later, the call for nuclear abolition is more urgent than ever. Unfortunately, rather than leading the world toward a nuclear-weapons-free 21st century, our own government is instead leading the world in investing in new nuclear-weapons development.

Last year the U.S. reaffirmed its reliance on nuclear deterrence at its summit conference with NATO leaders. We must reverse this dangerous trend now. As Bishop Matthiesen suggests, the bishops should seize the moment, and the laity should be right next to them offering support.

I invite readers to contact Pax Christi USA to find out how you can get involved. We can be reached at 532 West 8th Street, Erie, PA 16502; 814-435-4955; [e-mail].

Nancy Small National Coordinator, Pax Christi USA Erie, Pa.

Thank you for publishing Bishop Matthiesen's beautiful and important article. I am greatly encouraged by his clear gospel call for disarmament and peace.

As Bishop Matthiesen said, the weapons remain, they are idolatrous, they take away funds from the starving and the poor, and they prevent us from moving forward toward a culture of nonviolence.

If we are to accept Jesus' Resurrection gift of peace, we need to hear the bishop's call to disarmament, to join the growing movements for peace and justice, and to keep speaking out until nuclear weapons and war itself are abolished.

Father John Dear, S.J., Executive Director Fellowship of Reconciliation Nyack, N. Y.

For our sins ...

Robert J. Batastini's article "Crucify him? (April) struck me in two totally different ways. First, I wondered if he wrote his article with tongue in cheek. His statements "I am always myself. I am who I am ... I do not pretend ... and I do not shout `Crucify him'" reminded me of "Sam I Am" ... "and I do not eat green eggs and ham."

And his statement that the best option was to have three people sing the Passion convinced me that he was pulling our leg.

I speak for a lot of people when I say singing the Passion is not a better solution.

Second, on a more serious note, I also used to feel the way he does about having to say, yet not mean, the words "Crucify him." However, over time, I have learned that it is not a bad thing to play the crowd role and to shout, "Crucify him!" How many times in our daily lives, in our relationship with God, our loved ones, even strangers, have we in effect shouted "Crucify him!" by our sinful thoughts, words, deeds, and actions, our nonactions, and our failed acts of love? It can be a humbling and startling experience to hear ourselves shout "Crucify him!" and realize that we have silently shouted this many times before.

Fred R. Tewell Fairfax, Va.

Batastini says, "Don't put prayers in my mouth this Holy Week" in regards to the reading of the Passion in which all the members of the assembly cry out, "Crucify him!" Batastini contends that he resents having to call for Jesus' Crucifixion, because he himself would never say that.

However, I would point out to Batastini that, except for Mary and Jesus, every human being is a sinner. Whenever we choose to sin, we are wordlessly saying, "Crucify him!" because "It was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured ... he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins. Upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed" (Isa. 53:4-5). Crying out, "Crucify him? during the reading of the Passion helps me remember that Jesus died for me.

Maria Maddox Elgin, Ill.

Please address letters for publication to You May Be Right, 205 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60606. Or fax your comments to 312-236-8207. You can also e-mail us at [e-mail].--The editors