Readers Speak Out: April 5, 2020

The big picture

Re: Trump attack (Letters to Editor, March 15):

In response to Deacon Jurenas’ praise of Donald Trump I would like to say that Trump observes the First Commandment very well in public, but in private he wants to be worshipped and he worships money. 

With regard to the Second Commandment, love thy neighbour, he has separated (refugee) children from their parents and deprived them of soap, water and towels. 

With regard to thou shalt not bear false witness, he distorts facts and he lies.

With regard to thou shall not commit adultery, two women claim they were paid to keep quiet. 

Ivan Lobo,

Scarborough, Ont.

Strong words

Re: Trump attack (Letters to Editor, March 15):

I was very surprised to read the letter to the editor by Deacon George Jurenas.

He lauds Trump for his pro-life, pro-Israel, pro-Christian, etc. stance. This is a president who is thrice-divorced, is an alleged racist and continually spouts untruths.

These may be strong words, but I question Trump’s sincerity in his pro-life stance. Is he not trying to assure that his Evangelical base will vote for him during the next election?

Finally, does Deacon Jurenas agree with Israel’s illegal takeover of Palestinian settlements?

Aurise Kondziela,

Winnipeg, Man.

Unjust condemnation

Re: Spirituality does not cause moral goodness (Mar. 15):

Glen Argan almost assumes that Jean Vanier is condemned to hell because of his past sins.

These accusations against  Vanier happened when he was alive, of course, so why are they being dug up after he died and unable to respond in his own defence?

We hear one-sided stories and arguments. These accusations  cause me to question the full truth of what really happened.

I never met Jean Vanier, only saw him on television a couple of times, but he had his own sins like we all do. The Gospel of John tells us that if we say we have no sins we are liars. As another letter writer says, if St. Dismas or St. Augustine had lived in our time they would never have been made saints.

From what I read, many people were helped by Jean Vanier and many will continue to be helped. Condemning him at a time when he cannot respond is not justice.

Victor Debono,

Toronto

Vanier’s sins

Re: Spirituality does not cause moral goodness (Mar. 15):

Glen Argan characterized Vanier as “a moral miscreant and an unholy man” and said “his life was a moral mess” and his “spirituality and morality were disconnected.”

King David committed adultery with Bathsheba and planned the death of her husband Uriah, yet we never see in the Bible such condemnation as we have seen with Jean Vanier.

Too bad that we do not have a record of Jean Vanier’s confession of his sins before God, as King David did, so the Catholic community can give him absolution and put this matter to rest. Are Vanier’s sins worse than David’s?

Rufino Ty,

Brampton, Ont.