‘Sister Mary Ignatius’: Is It Comedy or Bigotry?

The Times’ casual editorial attitude regarding Catholic bashing (“Sister Mary Ignatius Isn’t Happy,” Sept. 13) prompts a comment.

The writer notes “There’s no question that ‘Sister Mary Ignatius’ takes a brutal, satirical look at Catholic dogma, and some will be offended by its approach.” Having studied the script of the play, I would agree entirely with this evaluation and point out that, by definition, to satirize is to hold up to ridicule or scorn.

Ever since “Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You” opened in an off-Broadway theater in 1980, decent and fair-minded people from all sectors of society, including public officials and legislators around the country, the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith as well as the American Jewish Committee, have condemned this unremitting travesty of Catholic ritual, tradition and values, with its particularly cruel caricature of Catholic sisters. Moreover, a serious injustice is added to the insult when such religious bigotry is supported with tax dollars. But The Times gives the concern only an editorial shrug and suggests that there are more important matters to occupy us.

Thank God that racism and anti-Semitism are types of prejudice that are too disreputable to be supported by most newspapers today. Anti-Catholicism, however, is apparently one type of bigotry which “enlightened” and “open-minded” editors continue to tolerate. The Times has once again demonstrated its concurrence with this fashion.

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NORMAN F. MCFARLAND

Bishop of Orange