Letters to the Editor | Feb. 21, 2025

Protests over the firing of federal workers are great, but where are our elected officials? The Constitution is being shredded, and our Democratic representatives are caving faster than the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive line. Where is Cherelle L. Parker? Why isn’t she out there in front of Independence Hall decrying the recent firings? Is she too busy being played by billionaires or overstaying her welcome at victory celebrations to take steps to protect our city?

Where’s Sen. John Fetterman? A billionaire is gutting the federal government, and the guy is silent? Is the self-styled tough guy everyman suddenly weak-kneed when faced with a fascist-friendly tech bro? Fetterman should be rhetorically stuffing Elon Musk in a locker, not cowering in his hoodie. Where is Rep. Dwight Evans? Not that the Democrats need another septuagenarian out there, but If you’ve tried reaching out to his office, the best response you get is a meek, “Well, the Republicans are in charge, so …” shrug of a message.

When Democrats had a supermajority during Barack Obama’s presidency, the Republicans made them fight tooth and nail just to turn on the lights every morning. More recently, Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville wreaked havoc on our military by holding up hundreds of promotions all by himself. Democrats know they were elected by their constituents to represent — and fight for — them, right? Unlike protesters, they are in the government. Why are they moping about like Travis Kelce? Perhaps the real question is: Where are the primary challengers to fill the void these cowards have left open? Will the brave and the bold please step forward?

Jesse Bernstein, Philadelphia

Last week, I took a ride through West Philly and Southwest Philly to revisit places of importance in my family history. I was shocked by the condition of many of the houses I saw. Thus, I was elated to hear Mayor Cherelle L. Parker had signed an executive order to convene a housing advisory group to “review existing processes and policies and provide recommendations for reform.” The major objectives of the mayor’s plan, entitled the Philadelphia Housing Opportunities Made Easy (or H.O.M.E.), are to facilitate the building of new homes and the repair of existing ones and to improve access to mortgage loans. Parker hopes to create and preserve 30,000 units of housing in her first term. These are things that desperately need to be done. Madame Mayor, may God go with you.

Mike Egan, Plymouth Meeting

Some doctors are predicting we could face another pandemic with the avian flu. Unfortunately, our present administration has been making things worse. Donald Trump instructed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop issuing health advisories and fired 1,300 workers there. He appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who opposes vaccinations, as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He left the World Health Organization, which limits our access to information about outbreaks and weakens our ability to develop vaccines, leaving the U.S. vulnerable. When he was president last time, Trump repeatedly downplayed the threat of COVID-19 — which eventually killed more than a million Americans — all while recommending ineffective “cures” like hydroxychloroquine. He also dismissed vaccinations, though he himself was vaccinated. Instead of caring about the health of Americans, the Republican budget proposal calls for $1.5 trillion in cuts, many likely coming from Medicaid, to pay for tax breaks for the wealthy and big corporations.

Sandra Folzer, Philadelphia

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez’s op-ed in Sunday’s Inquirer did not criticize Donald Trump’s executive orders even though they will cause human misery. Perhaps it was for fear of entering politics and offending Catholics who support Trump for his antiabortion statements. But spiritual direction for Philadelphia’s Catholics is now most urgent. They need to know what Catholic teaching says about the morality of the president’s orders to round up immigrants, to reduce the federal budget, and to fire people who challenge his policies, to name a few.

Trump said he would deport immigrants who were criminals; instead, he is threatening people who are law-abiding. Trump said he is reducing foreign aid, which is a tiny part of the budget, and helps fund agencies such as Catholic Relief Services. Firing IRS staff will reduce revenues and help tax cheats. It will not reduce the federal deficit and will not achieve its goal because tax revenues are needed to balance federal expenses. The pope recently criticized Trump’s immigration policy. I wished our archbishop had done something similar.

Gerry Givnish, Philadelphia

I was pleased to read Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez’s op-ed. I want to thank him and his staff and volunteers who have done so much for Philadelphia over the years. As an active and supporting member of the archdiocese since 1986, I am proud to have been an indirect contributor to all the services he described. As an active and contributing LGBTQ Catholic, I also sympathize with the 83% of the region’s Catholics who, as he notes, “aren’t engaged with the church.” Indeed, many of us feel ignored, excluded, and even judged by the hierarchy.

I am very excited to hear his plans for dialogue and outreach, and I hope to participate personally. My plea to the archbishop is that he begins this dialogue by removing that sense of judgment and exclusion felt by so many Catholics. Admittedly, it is truly church teaching that we will all receive mercy, judgment, and likely a measure of both from God one day — but that is God’s job, not the church’s. I am ready to “begin this mission together” with him and fellow Catholics. My prayer is that something truly beautiful will come of it.

Joseph Pugh, Phoenixville

As a Catholic sister, I’m heartened by Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez’s plan for the archdiocese “to meet people where they are.” As director of St. Raphaela Center in Haverford, I encounter people from many backgrounds, including former Catholics. I minister to wounds of mistrust, especially in women, as people share experiences of not feeling spiritually nourished nor a sense of belonging, either for themselves or those they love. There is incredible potential in this moment for the archdiocese to heal these wounds by becoming a credible witness of welcome.

We can do that by growing roles in and through the proposed process for women and so many others who have been prevented from sharing their ministerial gifts. Opening a transformative space for authentic encounters requires we demonstrate to those who have felt abandoned by the Catholic Church that their presence and experiences are truly valued in this pastoral process. This requires offering safe spaces for honest sharing and deep listening. I’m eager to partner in the hard work it will take to become a community that takes people’s experiences seriously by allowing them to affect us, welcoming them in a shared search to walk together on the journey of faith.

Sister Michelle Cimaroli, Haverford, [email protected]

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