Scott Mathern-Jacobson writes Rev. Tim Brown, S.J. in defense of Gospel nonviolence

Rev. Tim Brown, S.J., Provincial
Maryland Province Offices
5704 Roland Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21210-1399

Dear Fr. Tim Brown, SJ,

Peace be with you.

I am writing because I have just heard of the threatened expulsion of Kathy Boylan from St. Aloysius parish in Washington DC by Fr. Thomas Clifford, SJ. I feel that this action, if allowed, would be contrary to the message of the Gospels and the mission of the Church as well as a terrible offense against Kathy, Jesus and all victims of war, including soldiers and their families.

I have known Kathy since 1994. We lived in community at the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker in Washington DC from 1997-1999 during which time I was a member of St. Al's. Kathy is my friend and I consider her a mentor. I know of no one that lives their faith more seriously than Kathy. Because she does so, being around Kathy can be a bit uncomfortable at times, even when you support her 100%. It is uncomfortable because she speaks the truth, tries so hard to live the truth and, yes, she prays for what Jesus and the Church has taught us to be true: do not kill, put down your sword (or gun), do not support war. These are hard truths, especially when you happen to be a US citizen in a time of unending war. These truths are especially hard for some - those in the military, those with family or friends in the military - but they are true nonetheless.

I have read two letters that Kathy has sent you, as well as the letters sent by Fr. Tom to Kathy. I believe that Kathy accurately describes the events of not only the months that Fr. Tom has been at St. Aloysius, but of the years that she has been a member of the parish as well.

In the many times Kathy and I have attended mass together, I have not heard Kathy lecture or try to "prod people into agreement" with her as Fr. Clifford has accused her of doing. Her prayers are a few of the many that are offered during mass at St. Al's.

To my knowledge, I have never met Fr. Clifford. I do not know what kind of person he is or how he handles the responsibilities of his position as pastor of St. Al's. I assume he has many good qualities and is blessed with many talents. That said I feel that Fr. Clifford's letters to Kathy are condescending at best. I cannot imagine that Kathy felt pastoral love flow from his words as she read his letters. Fr. Clifford's second letter is especially offensive. How can he claim that Kathy's "abuse of this community has been a grave injustice for years" when he has not, to my knowledge, been at St. Al's for years? And is it really, a GRAVE INJUSTICE to offer prayers for peace? Last but not least, Fr. Clifford says that Kathy has expelled herself from St. Al's. This is simply not true. Kathy, while maintaining her God given right to pray for peace, has made every effort at communicating with parishioners who disagreed with her prayers and her vocation as a Catholic Worker and peacemaker. I have witnessed this myself and Kathy speaks of it in one of her letters to you. Kathy does not want to leave and she should not be forced out.

The longer I am away from St. Al's the more I appreciate the prayers that Kathy offers because I very rarely hear them coming from the pulpit. Like I said above, this is a time of unending war. At some point there could be a potential conscientious objector sitting in mass and he or she hears Kathy's prayer. It may be the only time they have heard Catholic support for what they are feeling. And if there is not a CO in attendance we can be assured that God is listening and is not offended by words of peace and disarmament.

I am asking you Fr. Tim, to do all that you can to see that Kathy is not excommunicated from St. Al's. I am asking that you do your best to help reconcile this situation.

You, Fr. Clifford, and Kathy and the rest of the St. Aloysius parish will be in my prayers.

Peace,

Scott Mathern-Jacobson