Bay Shore Muslim school, newborn screening, Hempstead Town taxes

Catholic past fuels empathy for Muslims

I am deeply troubled by what is happening at the former Montfort Missionaries property in Bay Shore [“Zoning law cited in boarding school denial,” News, Sept. 26]. For decades, this property served the Catholic community, first as a boarding school and minor seminary and later as a retreat house and religious residence. Now, after it was purchased by a Muslim organization seeking to educate and house young Muslim students, the boarding component has been ruled impermissible by the town’s zoning board.

Certainly, legitimate concerns involving safety, traffic, occupancy and zoning should be addressed. But when a property that historically housed Catholic students now cannot house Muslim students, the community deserves a clear and compelling explanation. Otherwise, serious questions about equal treatment and religious freedom must be asked.

As a Roman Catholic priest, I cannot remain silent. The gospel does not permit us to defend religious freedom only when our own religion is affected.

If Catholics expect our churches, schools and ministries to be treated fairly, then we have a moral obligation to demand that same fairness for our Muslim brothers and sisters. This is not about special treatment. It is about equal treatment.

Catholics in America once knew the pain of religious prejudice and exclusion. We should remember that history.

— The Rev. Francis Pizzarelli, Port Jefferson

Fund tests to save infants from harm

I am appalled at the limitations of genetic testing of newborns due to the lack of money [“Screening of newborns’ health may expand,” News, Oct. 5].

Can anyone with a clear conscience, knowing that a simple blood test could have prevented or at least treated a rare disease, justify not giving it? Only a few states have both genetic testing and infant blood tests to eliminate the risk of so many avoidable disorders or symptoms.

When you think of all the money spent by the government on wasteful committees, how can anyone justify money not being allocated? Many more tests can be performed to give a child a healthy and productive life.

Federal and state governments need to give more money to allow for Food and Drug Administration approval for more genetic testing to give children healthy and productive lives.

— Adrienne Horowitz, Old Bethpage

Fuzzy budget math hides actual costs

I dispute the claim that the Town of Hempstead’s 2027 budget will not have a tax increase [“No tax hike in Hempstead plan,” Long Island, Oct. 5]. The town is including the $30 million transferred from the reserve fund and the money being calculated from the potential sale of property. And the article says that the tax levy of $284.8 million doesn’t include 14 commissioner-run special districts that set their budgets independently. Really?

— Keith Rossein, Malverne