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Dear Friends at Catholic Exchange,
I was deeply touched after reading the series of articles dealing with the Harry Potter books. After sharing them with my family, we all felt that the articles were sensitive and that they put into words much of what we felt in our hearts. I am glad you had the courage to put them on your website; I know the topic is very controversial among Christians everywhere. God bless you for your good work. Your website has, from the beginning, been a huge blessing to me and my family. (I especially love the homily of the day.)
With much appreciation,
Joanne Tibbetts
To all At Catholic Exchange,
I have been one of many Catholic Priests who has supported and promoted your company over the years. The primary reason for my, and many other priests' promotion of you, is the overall sense of orthodoxy and fidelity in what you present and endorse.
Our Church uses Catholic Exchange for the Parish Portal Service. I am extremely scandalized and furious over the article of today, which is de facto endorsed and approved by you.
I hope and pray that this was either an oversight, or decision which stemmed from ignorance regarding the Church's position on Harry Potter books etc.
Although there have been no formal condemnations, the mind of the Church has been and is clear on this. Formal statements regarding Mother Church's position over Harry Potter trash over the last few years makes it scandalous for any entity, especially a Catholic one, to promote or endorse this diabolical filth.
I am no intellectual or literary lightweight. My degrees come from the University of Dallas, the Pontifical Gregorian Univ. in Rome and the Pontifical Univ. of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome. I don't need the literary license or credentials of John Granger, the writer you endorsed. I have these credentials. The ONLY credential which matters in all of this, however, is the desire to be obedient and faithful.
If some kind of an apology is not made, there will be negative consequences for Catholic Exchange nationwide. No rationalizations or justifications. There are faithful bishops, and many more faithful priests today, than the previous 3 decades of decadence and infidelity put together.
If something appropriate is not done by Catholic Exchange by way of apology or admission of oversight, there will be boycotting as you never dreamed. You at Catholic Exchange should know that God has never, and WILL NEVER, bless disobedience.
In Christ,
Fr. J. Patrick Serna
Diocese of Corpus Christi, Texas
Dear Fr. Serna:
We're sorry our attempts to present both sides of the Harry Potter controversy have upset you. The fact is, Holy Church has not condemned the books. It's really that simple. Cardinal Ratzinger's brief polite notes to a zealous Harry Potter opponent (written before he was Pope) refer her to Fr. Peter Fleetwood, the only voice at the Vatican to have offered an opinion about the books. His opinion: they're basically harmless. That's the closest Rome has come to expressing “the mind of the Church” on the matter. Very clearly then, we are in an area of prudential judgment and literary criticism, not “obedience” or “disobedience” to Christ or Holy Church. This being the case, we at CE thought it best to present both pro and anti-HP views from faithful and obedient Catholics. We do not regret that course, nor do we apologize for it. It is not possible, of course, to please everybody. But then neither is it possible to find perfect Catholics.
We are doing our best and we hope that, as a minister of the mercy of Christ, you will find it in your heart to remember the old adage: In essential things, unity; in doubtful things, liberty; in all things, charity.
May God bless your work in the Vineyard, Father. Please pray for us as we too seek to live the Gospel of Christ and his Holy Church — in union with Pope Benedict XVI.
Sincerely,
Mark Shea and Tom Allen
Editors
Catholic Exchange
