To the editor:

The last acceptable citadel of fashionable public prejudice seems to have been confirmed in the Portsmouth Times’ editorial cartoon drawn by Charlie Hall this past week. The hackneyed image of a harsh and angry nun, the implied hate and bigotry, many of the tired cliches of anti-Catholic superficial cleverness were on full display. Like an adolescent snickering in the lunchroom.

We have known so many loving, intelligent, and kindly women who have taken vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in the church within various orders. To ignore all the wonderful work they do in schools, hospitals, colleges, nursing homes, and anyplace a loving presence is needed such as the Little Sisters of the Poor in Pawtucket serving the poorest of the poor elderly is shameful bias and gratuitous spitefulness. 

If a similar editorial cartoon was featured showing some lame and bigoted antisemitic trope, the indignation and letters justifiably would cover the editorial desk. We hope a similar response is forthcoming from your readers for this inane insult. 

Deeply disappointed,

Jack and Rita Parquette

15 Birch St.

Portsmouth