Readers Speak Out: November 3, 2019

Papal dilemma

The moot question that concerns many attendees at the Synod of Bishops on the Amazon appears to be Pope Francis’ expected shift in mandatory clerical celibacy, which would be virulently opposed by conservatives. 

The Pope is faced with a dilemma, especially in peripheral areas like the Amazon or Northern Canada — either soften the celibacy rule and provide all with the Eucharist, or maintain strict celibacy and deprive some from receiving the Eucharist.

He may solve this problem by ordaining married men of proven character to serve in the priest-deprived areas. The Eucharist is the foundation of our Catholic faith. To deny it to any of the faithful due to the absence of celibate clergy would be the moral equivalent of placing celibacy ahead of the Eucharist.

J.E. Sequeira,

Pointe Claire, Que.

Sacred ways

Re: Statues from synod stolen (Oct. 27):

It amazes me that what one thinks pagan and obscene another can view as sacred and beautiful.

The statues stolen of a kneeling pregnant woman are seen as pagan and obscene by the thieves. I believe the pregnant woman is sacred and our depiction of pregnancy, fertility and Mother Earth has lost its meaning, especially in the West. 

The Amazon synod is an example of what could have happened during the times of European colonialism if the dialogue and sacred ways evident at the synod now had happened then.

Rose Galbraith,

Hamilton, Ont.

Broken forever

Re: Creating space for our brokenness (Oct. 13):

I would not call grieving and heartaches “brokenness.” Rather, they are challenges to face in our lives. 

The grieving process is a normal part of life. 

Most people prefer to grieve alone, on their own terms and for different durations. The most important aspect of grieving is to find meaning in life and resilience which can assist to overcome the grieving faster and make something positive from it. 

I would apply the term “brokenness” to a person who did something very wrong like abortion, and they feel sorry and guilty about it. 

These people might feel broken forever.

Wieslawa Derlatka, 

Hamilton, Ont.

Side effects

Re: Trump calls for an end to persecution of ‘people of faith’ (Sept.2 9):

That was a nice article calling for an end to persecution of “people of faith.” 

Maybe President Trump is unaware that his country unleashed their massive military might 18 years ago as they invaded Iraq. The invasion was based on lies.

The invasion had many side effects, one of them being the brutal and deadly attacks on the Christian population, almost decimating it.

John Duffy,

Hamilton, Ont.