1.

The very notion that a priest or bishop should boycott a Mass because of the alleged unworthiness of the celebrant demonstrates both ignorance and arrogance. All of us, including all priests, are unworthy to approach the altar. We can do so only because of the love and generosity of Jesus our Savior who bestows the sacrament of Holy Orders on his unworthy servant. For you to refuse to concelebrate a Mass with Fr. Marx because you have judged him a sinner is to place yourself higher than God. This not only demonstrates incredible chutzpah (1) but also is an act of great cruelty to Fr. Marx. How would you feel if your fellow priests conducted an investigation into your life and decided not to concelebrate Mass with you because you may have committed certain sins or offended certain persons?

2.

I think it is important to point out the logical extension of your position. Apparently you take the view that participating in a Mass with Fr. Marx constitutes an endorsement of anti-Semitism. If that is so, then clearly the altar servers should follow your example and refuse to assist Fr. Marx at Mass. For that matter, it would then be unseemly and an occasion for scandal for the organist and readers to participate in such a celebration of hatred; they too should abstain. Finally, if such a holy person as the bishop boycotts the Mass, the faithful should also stay away. Really, the only sensible solution is to have Fr. Marx celebrate Mass by himself, perhaps in some sort of hermitage where nobody will have to watch. By your logic, this ostracism of Fr. Marx should be joined by the priests and lay people throughout this nation and the world. I formerly practiced law in Alaska, and I could probably find some remote location where only the beasts of nature would have to watch Fr. Marx pray or celebrate the Mass.

3.

Your proposal that a document be read at Fr. Marx' mass in which he will be publicly chastised as a bigot is unprecedented and outrageous. If you feel so strongly that Fr. Marx constitutes a moral blight in your diocese, then you should forbid him to say Mass and ask him to stay away. Your halfway measure is designed to embarrass and humiliate him. It will also have the effect of setting back the life-saving efforts of HLI which Pope John Paul II has called "the most important work on earth."

4.

Finally, and most importantly, all of your efforts to smear Fr. Marx are based on the incorrect assumption that he is anti-Semitic. This allegation is false. If you feel so bold as to make such a public proclamation against Fr. Marx, then I believe you should be able to back it up in a public forum.

5.

Therefore, Your Excellency, I challenge you to a public debate on the following proposition:

RESOLVED: THAT FR. PAUL MARX IS ANTI-SEMITIC AND HE SHOULD SEVER HIS CONNECTIONS WITH HUMAN LIFE INTERNATIONAL.