Readers Speak Out: August 25, 2019

Plan B needed

In late June a prominent parishioner and Knight of Columbus died. An Honour Guard was requested by the family at the funeral. About 20 fourth-degree Knights attended in regalia — 19 in old regalia, one in new regalia.  

Of the 96 fourth-degree Knights in our Assembly, I’m told a handful have bought the new $800 uniform that is widely reviled ($1,000 if sword is also bought).

I’ve informed our pastor that after July 1 — the mandatory date for exclusive use of the new uniform — Honour Guards will be dramatically less often available, if ever, and have very few Knights in attendance, if any. 

Plan B is needed as the fourth-degree of the Knights of Columbus is at risk of disappearing in Canada. (Fortunately, the third-degree is as vibrant as ever.) 

SK Paul Larocque, 

Grand Knight, Council 7689

Markham, Ont.

Integrated approach

 Re: Setting an example (July 28-Aug. 4):

Thank you for mentioning Laudato Si’ and Pope Francis in your editorial, and pointing out that Vatican City will ban single-use plastics. This sets a good example and is a beginning. 

But it is important to know that the encyclical has teachings that need to be understood in this battle against pollution and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Central to that advice is the concept of integral ecology, which recognizes the interconnectedness between humanity and nature. 

Facing inequalities in economics, social and political systems, the concept of justice needs to be met in the solutions. There must be equality in addressing the development of all human beings. We must pursue an integrated approach as we all share the planet.  

Virginia Edman,

Toronto 

Hollow words

Justin Trudeau says “we will always speak up for freedom of religion and for human rights here in Canada and around the world.” This is rich coming from a prime minister who disallowed pro-life candidates from becoming Liberal Members of Parliament, who discriminates against pro-life Catholics and pro-life Evangelical Christians from being eligible for the summer jobs program, who supports abortion on demand and yet would have us believe he is a Roman Catholic. 

Words mean absolutely nothing when they aren’t backed by actions. 

Patricia Maloney,

Ottawa, Ont.

Balanced arguments

Catholic popes have produced brilliant encyclicals. These works help us understand what it means to be human, and they show the right relationship between God and the world. 

I find similar wisdom in Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ and I cannot see how anyone can deny our responsibility to be good stewards of this planet. However, Laudato Si’ has been hijacked by political movements, social justice activists and Hollywood “A-listers” who use “climate change” as the simple root cause of every global problem. 

Even personal decisions on family size and charitable organizations have come under withering attack from climate activists who care less about humanity than they do about their own personal ideology. The Register does contribute to the conversation, but it needs to do so by presenting balanced arguments on this very complicated issue.

Mario Loreto,

Toronto