Gentlepersons,
In your feature story “Faith, Proof and Relics” (April 11-12) you make an error in defining faith. You explain that “believers suspend their rational processes and undertake an act of faith.” You define this as an essential aspect of religion. Maybe that is an essential aspect of some religions, but Catholicism is not one of them.

Catholics act on faith and reason. Faith does not replace reason, faith and reason balance themselves in Catholic Doctrine.

“Though faith is above reason, there can never be any real discrepancy between faith and reason. Since the same God who reveals mysteries and infuses faith has bestowed the light of reason on the human mind, God cannot deny himself, nor can truth ever contradict truth.” (cf Cathechism of the Catholic Church #159)
Sincerely yours,

Fr. Robert J Carr
Pastor
St. Benedict Parish,
Somerville, MA