Readers Speak Out: June 28, 2020

Unjust killing

Re: Bishops join forces condemning racism (June 21):

I take offence at Archbishop Donald Bolen comparing the alleged murder of George Floyd to the passion and crucifixion of Jesus.

The brutality of his death — and the killing of innocent people around the world — is always wrong and shows the struggles against evil we must overcome.

But Jesus’ death on the cross is a great deal more — in Judeo-Christian prophecy and revelation — than just brutality.

Jesus, the Son of God, took on our humanity in human form as a man. He always placed Himself at and with the will of the Father, our Creator.

His death was not a cause, as He said, “When I am lifted up I will draw all to myself.” As Christians we draw strength through His sacred cross.

After the riots and protests, and all the religious people standing up for this cause, then what?

Rose Galbraith,

Hamilton, Ont. 

Deleting Vanier

Re: School boards look to erase Vanier name (June 21):

Due diligence in most cases appears to be resulting in name changes with minimal controversy, with perhaps the exception of the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board.

There, the director seems to believe in the divine right of directors to not only ignore the local parent/student community but, according to the article in The Register, not even allow the board trustees to vote on the name he chooses. Louis XIV would be proud!

But I do have some concern with a throw-away phrase used by Mickey Conlon in the article. He referred to “gritty working class” streets of Scarborough. I can’t imagine a more condescending way to refer to a well-loved school in an active community with an extremely diverse population. Exactly the opposite of what one should expect in this era of heightened awareness of social, racial and justice issues.

J Halton Doyle,

Pickering, Ont.

Humans, too

Re: LGBT ruling worries bishops (June 21):

I was disappointed to read the views of Los Angeles Bishop Jose H. Gomez on LGBT. 

This group of people are humans, too. They are not the product of a perverse culture; their leanings are natural born, and so we have to respect that and be ready to include them when we pray/say: “Love they neighbour.”

Yes, they cannot procreate, and so to my mind the definition of marriage should be restricted to the union of a man and a woman. But other unions should be recognized and have the same civil legal rights as married couples. 

Al Mathias,

Mississauga, Ont

Touching experience

Re: Seeking spring rejuvenation (Youth Speak News, May 31):

As I started reading Sarah Wentzel’s article, the CBC’s Radio 2 “My Playlist” was on and Peter Gabriel’s song “Washing of the Water” started to play in the background in a slow and mournful way.

The words and sounds from this song weaved their way together with Ms. Wentzel’s words and imageries to open up a deeply touching experience of profound appreciation of springtime and of our lives here on Earth.

It was a piece written with words far beyond her years — thank you for it. 

John JF Killackey,

Mississauga, Ont.