We have duty to be brother's keeper

Certainly, Elaine Kalcsics (May 17) is entitled to her opinion.

It is, however, her view of Catholicism that has made child abuse by priests possible, i.e., by believing that priests are gods and can do no wrong.

We are guilty as a whole because we failed as our brother's keeper.

Being priestly people does not mean being scrupulously concerned with one's own soul. What priestly people means is described In I Peter 2:9-10, which reads: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

We who occupy pews are intimately involved in the liturgy.

The priest acts as presider. Because the Tridentine Mass isolated the presider from the people, Vatican II changed the liturgy -- which is currently being threatened by our pope, who recently allowed some parishes to return to making the presider the all-in-all in the liturgy.

Monica L. Zabor

Arlington Heights