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MEXICO CITY – As Mexicans discussed reintroducing the death penalty as punishment for kidnapping, several Catholic leaders said capital punishment would not solve Mexico’s crime problem.

A funeral Mass for Sister Mary Bonaventure Grabowski, F.S. was offered July 30 at Felician Sisters’ Infirmary Chapel, Our Lady of Lourdes Hall, N.J. Sister Mary died July 27; she was 89.

I really was stunned that you published the letter from Paul Surlis (CR,Aug. 7) asserting that the abortion issue is minor. The entire letter was just a catalog of phrases from the “talking points” put out by the Democratic National Committee, with the intent of muddying the water and diverting Catholic voters from giving due attention to abortion. The 64-word sentence comprising most of Surlis’ last paragraph is part of the standard litany of blaming America for causing all the ills of the world. Not a single clause of that sentence is true – it’s all just innuendo aimed against the current administration, hoping to tarnish other candidates through guilt-by-association.

CHICAGO – The Archdiocese of Chicago has agreed to pay 16 victims of clergy sex abuse more than $12.6 million in a settlement announced Aug. 12.

Permit me to comment on “Claiming Shakespeare: Author argues Bard of Avon was a Catholic” (CR, July 24).)

“Human rights report details water crisis in West Bank” (CR, Aug.7) states that “… the chronic water shortage is due in large part to Israel’s discriminatory policy in distributing the joint water resources in the West Bank.” In other words, while illegal Israeli settlers are filling their swimming pools, Palestinians barely have enough drinking water. Each year, Israel steals more Palestinian land and water in the West Bank, while maintaining its deadly siege and collective punishment on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The Knights of Columbus Council 7612 in Eldersburg announced the 2008 recipient of the Robert H. Clark Memorial Scholarship at the group’s annual awards banquet. Bridget Ann Gallagher of Sykesville was recognized as this year’s recipient by John Hundertmark, chairman of the scholarship committee.

An informational seminar on the Aid and Attendance Veteran’s Program will be held Sept. 10 on the Jenkins Senior Living Campus, 3308 Benson Ave., behind St. Agnes Hospital. Everyone attending is invited to Caritas House Assisted Living, Baltimore, for dinner, by Famous Dave’s Barbecue, at 5:30 p.m., followed by the VA seminar. This program is open to anyone who was a veteran or spouse of a veteran, is to provide additional pension monies to help with Assisted Living, Long Term Care and in home care-giving costs. The veteran must have served at least one day during a war time, but not necessarily in a war zone, to be eligible. Call 410-646-6600 by Sept. 8, if you would like to attend.

More than 300 members of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia gathered for their congregational chapter from June 22-28. During this time, a new leadership team that will assume office Sept. 12 was elected.