Letters

St Maria Goretti (letter)

Anne Buchan

Contents - Dec 2002 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Christmas 2002: the state of the Church - Peter Westmore New Vatican Instruction on priesthood: the challenge to be another Christ - AD2000 Report News: The Church Around the World - AD2000 Education: Most teachers reject Church teaching: ACU professor - Michael Gilchrist Books: Biography of Archbishop Pell launched in Melbourne: author interviewed Thomas Groome: his influence on religious education continues - Eamonn Keane Brisbane Synod 2003: a leadership challenge - Peter D. Howard 'New' ecumenism fights secular culture: Protestant theologian Archbishop Chaput: what makes a good leader? - Archbishop Charles J. Chaput The sound of thunder and laughter: Hilaire Belloc re-considered -  A.G. Evans Letters: The Pell case (letter) - Alan A. Hoysted Letters: Clergy support (letter) - Peter R. McNamara Letters: Anti-Catholicism (letter) - Glenn Talaue Letters: Women's Commission (1) (letter) - Sr Breda O'Reilly Letters: Women's Commission (2) (letter) - Dr Myles M. Kehoe Letters: Bishops' initiative (letter) - Therese Vassarotti Letters: Bishop Power (letter) - Fr G.H. Duggan SM Letters: St Maria Goretti (letter) - Anne Buchan Letters: 'Misandry' (letter) - Name and address supplied Letters: Forgiveness (letter) - John Schmid Letters: Visionary (letter) - Tom King Letters: Newman (letter) - Rev Julius C. Stonehouse Letters: Apologetics (letter) - Geoff Storey Poetry: The New Year - D.C. Craig Books: Bio-Engagement: Making a Christian Difference through Bioethics Today - Bill Muehlenberg (reviewer) Books: Eucharistic Devotion : renewing a timeless tradition / Heart of St Alphonsus - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: Barb of Fire: Twenty Poems of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: Beyond the Blue Glass: Catholic Essays on Faith and Culture, Aidan Nichols OP - Tracey Rowland (reviewer) Books: Top Ten AD2000 Books for 2002 Books: Ideal Christmas Gifts from AD Books Reflection: John Paul II on Christmas: 'the mystery of humanity redeemed by Christ' - Pope John Paul II

I was very disappointed, even distressed, to read the article by Mary Kenny, reprinted from The Irish Catholic, referring to St Maria Goretti.

Her martyrdom had nothing whatsoever to do with rape.

I wonder if the author has even read the Saint's biography? She was not yet twelve, but more importantly was not "working in the fields." Maria was keeping house and minding her baby sister while her mother was working outside - her husband having recently died. And the murderer was not any young man, but a member of the same household, he and his father being share-farmers with the Gorettis.

Rape was not an issue, for Alessandro required Maria's agreement to his suggestions, which he had proposed several times before, threatening death if she told her mother.

Some years ago an article in The Catholic Weekly suggested that it was farcical to hold Maria up as an example because rape is not a sin for the victim. The implication was that Maria's action was foolishness.

Mary Kenny's expression "silly jokes" is hardly strong enough to counter the arguments of those who mock chastity and virginity.

I repeat, the word "rape" should never enter into any conversation about St Maria Goretti. She is patroness of youth and her image is of modesty and purity. Every morning and every evening St Maria Goretti said the "Three Hail Marys" in honour of Our Lady's immaculate purity.

Perhaps, by way of redress, AD2000 could review and promote Father Geoffrey Poage CP's biography of St Maria Goretti, In Garments All Red, a TAN publication.

ANNE BUCHAN
Wangaratta, Vic

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 15 No 11 (December 2002 - January 2003), p. 14