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James A. Marples ("Biden does a disservice," Aug. 12) states that "Biden has done a disservice to his faith and he has done an unseemly mixing of the separation of church and state." Marples is wrong on both counts. I, too, was baptized as a Roman Catholic, but was taught that churches make mistakes for which an apology is made at a later time. Remember Galileo (imprisoned for claiming the Earth was round) and the burning of innocent women in Massachusetts (ministers stating they were witches). Churches are making a similar mistake today in not giving their blessing to same-sex marriages. An apology will come in 2057.

As to the separation of church and state, Biden has every right as a private citizen to officiate at any wedding of his choice. There is nothing "unhealthy" in doing so. Biden should be thanked as the exemplar in helping the Catholic church to do what is right and honorable.

Donald Thomas

Salt Lake City