LETTERS “IT IS SUCH A SHAME THAT SO FEW HAVE STAINED THE MEMORIES OF SO MANY.”

The Truth About Flower Mound

OR THE UNINFORMED FLOWER MOUND resident and to the D Magazine writers and editors who failed to do their research, the “Flower Mound” is located on the northeast corner of the intersection of FM 3040 and FM 2499 right next to (unfortunately) the new Tom Thumb. It is approximately 25 feet tall, and the view from the top is wonderful. It has an historical marker adjacent to the road that tells the story of how Flower Mound was settled. The mound itself is a naturally occurring feature and not man-made.

BILL HORTON

Flower Mound



Rudy Kos: Who’s to Blame?

YOUR ARTICLE ON HOLY TRINITY Seminary in Irving lacked the critical elements of perspective and balance. To assume, because of these incidents, that the seminary was out of control is to not understand seminary formation. When seminary students enter the seminary they must consider their whole self in light of their future vocation as a Catholic priest. When this is done with honesty, difficult questions of maturity, sexuality, faith, and commitment are respectfully considered.

If a student chooses to foster a secret life, contrary to the rules of the seminary, the formation program becomes distorted because of the dishonesty of the seminarian. When these difficult situations are revealed to the faculty, the student is confronted and often dismissed. While a student’s misdeeds might make for good sensational reading, they are not a revelation that the seminary is failing.

Mr. Michalski could have written an article that helped both the Diocese of Dallas and your readers to better understand this difficult time, but his goal seems to have been less noble. Instead, we are left with the same rhetoric of hate and mistrust.

REV. MICHAEL G. DUCA

Rector, Holy Trinity Seminary



SPEAKING AS A FORMER SEMINARIAN AT Holy Trinity (1983-1985), I found your article to be accurate and informative. The article just scratches the surface in revealing the sordid activities that went on during that time; however, it is important to note that there are a number of devout and prayerful individuals that made it through in spite of the environment. There were also many good people who would have made great priests but were either turned away or quit because of the likes of Michael Hartwig and company. Thanks for writing the story. Perhaps now the healing can begin.

BENJAMIN G. BATES

Boise, ID

I WAS A STUDENT AT HOLY TRINITY Seminary during the late ’70s and early ’80s. My class was very conservative. I held a leadership position in my class and never was aware of practiced homosexuality to the extent your article describes. The great majority of the students were very serious about their studies and their vocation. We were taught by some of the best theological minds in the country. It is such a shame that so few have stained the memories and experiences of so many.

WILLIAM BARKER

Dallas

As a resident seminarian at Holy Trinity in the late 1980s, I can testify to homosexual activity in me House. But to speak about pedophilia and homosexual activity between consenting adults in the same breath is irresponsible. Church leaders were careless in the screening process. A predator like Kos should never have been allowed to enter the Seminary.

That issue is separate from the fact that there have always been, and always will be, gays in the Seminary. Holy Trinity Seminary did not hatch the pedophile Rudy Kos. He was full-grown and dangerous when he arrived at the door.

RUBEN J. ROCHA

Irving