I am a faithful reader of Edgar Allen Beem’s weekly column and I generally agree with the positions he takes, and thoroughly enjoy the columns. I am also a faithful, cradle Catholic. The point of declaring those two characteristics of mine is the basis of my comment about his recent column advocating passage of LD 1313, known as a “death with dignity bill.” He quotes Bishop Deeley describing the Church’s theology as defending human life and the dignity and sacred nature of each of us. But his next sentence seems out of the blue. He admonishes us to beware anyone who “claims to know the will of God.” I fully agree.

But Beem seems to be saying that the Church pretends to know the will of God. In my 70 plus years of experiencing Catholic life and teaching, I have never, ever heard that regarding anything. Indeed, Church teaching is very explicit that only God knows the hour of our death. We do not pretend to know God’s will, but when we are able to discern it, we pray for the ability to accept it.

Judith L. Pollock
Yarmouth