THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, September 23, 1994             TAG: 9409230013
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A18  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   25 lines

POPE CAN'T COMPROMISE

Columnists Richard Cohen and Ellen Goodman (op-ed page, Sept. 14) must realize that Pope John Paul II teaches religion, not sociology. The pope will not, and cannot, compromise moral teachings of the church to satisfy secular demands or to achieve popularity.

The fact that many ignore his teachings does not detract from his apostolic duty to teach. When Jesus spoke to the multitudes, many also rejected him and his teachings.

Men and women are only procreators; God alone is the creator. If you accept this, why not blame the population growth on the only source, our creator? Does anyone have the courage?

THOMAS E. KELLY

Chesapeake, Sept. 20, 1994 by CNB