Pinochet's funeral

* In the Dec. 29 NCR, Sr. Maureen Turlish mourns the "spiritual blessings of the church" received by Chile's former military ruler Augusto Pinochet at his funeral Mass on Dec. 12.

I would never refuse a funeral, even for the worst of murderous sinners. I believe that the funeral is a gift and statement from God, whose love can never be overcome, whose light the darkness can never put out. At a funeral we look upon a fellow human being with the eyes of God, who created that person with many gifts, intended to be used after the image and intention of God. God receives the worst sinner with sorrow and a parent's love. Surely we can do the same at a funeral, embracing even the saddest life in a recreating love that is of God.

(The Rev.) BILL OLEWILER

Charlottesville, Va.

[Bill Olewiler is pastor of Mount Moriah United Methodist Church in White Hall, Va.]

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