In his latest book, Head and Heart, the author Garry Wills notes that current Catholic dogma on abortion and evolution are not consistent with past church teachings. What struck me is the fact that my friend Phil Sgroi mentioned this very point to me months ago. Sgroi, the noted Reform Democrat and, like Wills, a Catholic layman, was a joy to know: intelligent, well-read, witty, generous and vitally concerned with social justice. He was particularly dismayed over the active political involvement of many of our churches in the support or opposition to specific candidates, including those in public school board elections. Sgroi died Nov. 21, 2007. We would honor his memory by heeding his warning that such activity by these religious institutions undermines their greatest asset: credibility.
Donald D. Meyer
Labadie, MO
Note: Mr. Sgroi’s service was held Monday, Nov. 26, at College Church.
