Albany native to address death penalty and war

Author Antoinette Bosco will return to her hometown to present a talk on "Mercy vs. the Death Penalty: A Challenge to Christians," Oct. 29, 7 p.m., at St. John/St. Ann's Church in Albany.

But, in light of the Sept. 11 attacks on America and the U.S. military response, she will expand her comments to answer questions that many Catholics have been asking her.

'Deep loss'

"People are asking me, 'Where is the justice, the mercy in what happened? What does faith mean at a time like this? Where do we stand and what should we do during these times? Who do we become now?'"

In her talk, Ms. Bosco plans on integrating what she wrote in her latest book, "Choosing Mercy: A Mother of Murder Victims Pleads to End the Death Penalty," with thoughts and reflections from a previous book, "Shaken Faith."

Faith's role

Ms. Bosco discovered that herself when she struggled in her efforts to come to terms with the brutal murder of her son and daughter-in-law. It was only after much soul-searching, prayer and inner reflection that she made a decision to choose life over the death penalty.

Ms. Bosco believes that faith is a journey with God, not only through the good times but also through suffering and the bad times.

With regard to the recent terrorist attacks, she said, "We are challenged to the core when something like this happens. During these times, being a Christian and following the teachings and example of Jesus Christ is not easy. These terrible things happen. We are all affected and because of that, our lives have been permanently altered. Now that these questions have begun to surface, people are looking for answers."

(Ms. Bosco, a graduate of The College of Saint Rose in Albany, is the author of nine books and a syndicated columnist for Catholic newspapers. For information on her free talk, call Roberta Grieco, 472-9091, ext. 18.)

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