To the editor:

Perhaps if Matthew O’Connell (Public Forum, April 10) went to church often or had paid closer attention in history class, he would know why our church (that being the Roman Catholic Church he so vehemently chastised), does not hold the idea of tradition as its sole pillar of faith. If it did, we might still be suffering through the Crusades, slavery and inquisitions.

Jesus Christ never “thundered a call to victory” (as stated per his letter) over the Romans. He turned the other cheek calling us to do the same. He chastised one of his own disciples, Simon Peter, for turning to violence. I can hardly imagine Jesus favoring, certainly not preaching for, capital punishment as he was a victim of this very brutality.

Thank goodness the Roman Catholic Church has come this far in understanding Christ’s message of nonviolence.

Nation lost? The Church’s stance on nonviolence is a step in the right direction toward healing this world.

Steven and Stacie Adams, Perry