"In your editorial at the top of the page in the Nov. 22 issue, you quote Pope John Paul II as saying, '..... it was unacceptable that some people starved while some 'lived in opulence.''"

[ as if the popes and cardinals don't live in "opulence" ..... JP ]

From ................ National Catholic Reporter

January 17, 1997

page 24

To protect the wealthy

- In your editorial at the top of the page in the Nov. 22 issue, you quote Pope John Paul II as saying, " ..... it was unacceptable that some people starved while some 'lived in opulence.'" John Wesley, founder of the Methodist church, would seem to agree with Pope John Paul. The United Methodist Reporter (Oct. 21, 1988) states that "What we call property Wesley calls robbery. Robbery of God and the poor." Anything we possess above minimum basic needs is stolen from God and the poor, according to Wesley. ....

In your lower editorial you comment about " ... exploring alternative models for economic life." .... I think that [preventing such explorations] was the driving force behind our strong opposition to the Soviet Union....

Preventing "alternative models of economic life" has been behind our policies in Central America, Chile, Cuba and other countries. We have supported dictators who have killed and tortured thousands of people to protect the wealthy few and American corporate interests....

JAMES J. BILLINGS .......... Del Rio, Texas

- END QUOTE -

[ re "American" support of Latin American dictators, and "American corporate interest," consider that Peter Grace of Grace Corporation was head of the "Knights of Malta." Another famous "Knight of Malta" was CIA chief, William Casey ]