Readers Speak Out: April 26, 2020

Devil’s virus

One of The Catholic Register’s youth writers suggested another name for the virus beast. But how about Devil’s Virus for one or, even better, Psalm19 for another.

Thinking positively now takes on a new meaning, and Psalm 19 is Christian positivity.

Pat Hunt,

Ottawa, Ont.

Martyr of charity

Re: Bishop set a powerful example (April 5):

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic it’s fitting that you pay tribute to Bishop Michael Power who faced similar circumstances in his day.

During the typhus epidemic of 1847 in Toronto he sacrificed his life while helping poor Irish migrants. He died after contracting typhus, giving up his life in the service of others thereby demonstrating heroic selflessness and courage. 

Offering up one’s life for others is the ultimate that a person can do and Bishop Power did so in imitation of Christ, who died on the cross for all humanity. The bishop is rightly called “a martyr of charity” who “set a powerful example” which Catholics, particularly priests and health care providers, should try to emulate in the current COVID-19 crisis.

As the Gospel says: “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).     

Claudio Ceolin,

Toronto

Casting stones

I recall Jesus talking to the people wanting to stone the woman caught in adultery: “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.”

Look at Donald Trump’s good deeds, not his sins.

Bernard Schoenberger,

Leduc, Alta.

Stand aside

I observed something from the papal celebration on Good Friday and the Easter Vigil that are rather significant. The Pope sat at the side of the apse, not at the centre.

It looks like the Church is now giving back to Christ His proper place, respect and reverence by giving Christ the centre. Christ is the head of the Church, Christ is the centre of Christian life, not His ministers.

Priests should consider sitting on the side, just like the Pope.

Having the tabernacle at the side as priests sit at the centre is liturgical and clerical disrespect of Christ in the Eucharist, another thing we have to repent for in this time of pandemic. 

Rufino Ty,

Brampton, Ont.

Divorce culture

Maybe I’m the only one for whom a wedding these days has become a time to cross all 10 fingers and hope against hope that this one will hold.

The fact is that we live in a divorce culture and everything militates against the possibility of a lasting marriage. But there is pushback in some quarters against divorce, especially no-fault divorce.

It is no doubt good and necessary to deal with the aftermath of separation and divorce, but it is also past time to address the up-river problems.

Gilberta Van Houtven,

Guelph, Ont.