Catholics whiff on chance
to increase inclusion

For more than a year, the Roman Catholic Church sought the voices of its members and gathered reports about their concerns. Not surprisingly, the ordination of women rose to the top of the list.

In recent weeks as the Synod in Rome wrapped up, church leadership had an opportunity to take steps to move forward in discussing this hot-button topic as it has been described. It didn't.

Instead, Pope Francis was quoted as saying, appIn this time of war, we must be witnesses to peaceapp and give an example of living with differences. Unfortunately, this world is always at war. Maybe a much more beneficial example to give would include facing conflict by sitting down in dialogue and collaborating to create outcomes that respect, dignify, and meet the needs of all involved.

Now there is something both the church and world need.

Charlene Rorick

New Haven

Government regulations
strangle housing market

Over the past four years, life has become more unaffordable for many Hoosiers. It seems the American dream is out of reach, and new housing options are expensive and scarce due in large part to government regulations that add 25% to the cost of new home construction.

Rising housing costs are not just squeezing individuals app theyappre stifling community growth across the state. Right now, housing demand is high, and the supply is low. Restrictive local government regulations can hinder building the housing that Indiana communities urgently need.

Sen. Todd Young has been working on legislation to help ensure governments identify these onerous regulations blocking the development community from building needed housing options. The appYes In My Backyard Actapp eliminates barriers to much-needed housing, by requiring transparency in local land use, zoning and housing decisions.

In the pursuit to establish quality of place, some local governments have crafted artificial barriers that restrict supply and inflate housing costs. Communities should consider all opportunities to provide housing, relieve regulatory burdens and support economic development projects that would increase assessed value and bring in more tax revenue.

The median new home price in Indiana currently exceeds $465,000, which prices out nearly 80% of Hoosier households looking to buy a newly constructed home.

We have a prime opportunity to address the housing affordability crisis, and I am heartened to see leaders like Young championing the cause to help resolve the issue.

Gregory Gerbers

Board president,

Home Builders Association of Fort Wayne

'Parade' pulls back curtain
on nation's true self

Once again, Genesis Outreach has birthed a script that reflects who and what America is app in all our universal qualities, good and bad. Produced by Albert Brownlee with profits going to Genesis to assist individuals in rebuilding their lives, "Parade" tells a story about an antisemitic community in Atlanta that touches the hearts and minds of the audience.

Congratulations to all of the fine actors and to Brandon Porter, a well-known music director in the theater community and now a musical theater director.

In our troubled times, "Parade" gives us pause to reflect on who we really want to be in our made-of-a-mixed-soup of all cultures. Its world makes us face America.

Ruth Baker

Fort Wayne