Dear Claire:

Thank you for your comments from your experience. I have read differing views on things like this. Nevertheless, the primary point is being discreet in the practice of breast-feeding. I think we can all agree on that.

However, on what is really an issue all to itself, and should really be its own thread, is the idea that men should just not look . This is a common attitude in our society these days.

Feminists have gone so far to say that they should be able to walk naked down the street and not get stared at lustfully. That is an extreme view, but this is an attitude that has developed -- placing all responsibility upon the shoulders of the men and the women refusing responsibility for their own behavior.

This idea posited in our society ignores the responsibility that St. John Chrysostom, a doctor of the Church, teaches belongs to the women.

It is true that the men should focus on the Mass, but it is equally true that women should not dress or behave in ways that could tempt the men to lose focus. It is a mutual responsibility.

These sorts of subjects remind me of women who complain that men stare at their breasts instead of looking them in the eye. I reply, "What do you expect when your breasts are hanging out half naked because of the dress design." If woman do not want men "looking" at them in this way, then stop wearing clothing, or lack thereof, that "pours the fatal cup of poison" as St. John Chrysostom teaches us.

There is a mutual responsibility -- for men to mortify their desires and lusts and for women to not put themselves out there to sabotage that effort.

If both sexes practice their respective responsibilities, then we would live in a much purer world.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

P.S. this issue of modesty applies to the men as well in their temptation of women's lusts.