Visiting ministers don’t share information

I object to the April 16 front-page story “God only knows?” on the grounds that it was sensational, incomplete and unhelpful to your readers.

When you report on controversial religious matters, you splash sacred symbols all over the paper for visual effect. The depiction of an older, scowling priest in clerical attire accompanying a story that pertains to hospital policy can only amount to a swipe at revered custom. Conversely, when you report on child abuse cases in public schools, no such traditional symbols are used. Are chalkboards, apples and rulers missing from your clip-art files?

The story failed to point out that many local ministers visit hospitalized members of their flock with no requirements to report anything to the hospital. We get up in the middle of the night to take care of people. After six years of this kind of service to God's people, I don't even know what a medical chart looks like.

As a result, one person commented in the paper on April 17 that they would “refrain from conversation with any chaplain after reading this article.” Are people always able to distinguish between the hospital's chaplain and a visiting minister? Many times, patients don't recognize us because we visit them whether they attend services or not. The hospital room is one of the hallowed grounds where people are reconnected to their faith communities.

Can The Gazette accept the consequences of this unhelpful story? Your readers deserve better.

The Rev. Nick B. March

Cedar Rapids