Readers Speak Out: July 5-12, 2020

Well done, Knights

Kudos  to the Knights of Columbus of Holy Cross Parish in Burnaby, B.C., for going ahead with their bicycle drive, Bicycles for Humanity, despite three partners suddenly pulling out, citing differences of opinion on LGBTQ issues. The Knights collect donated bikes and ship them in large containers to Africa where the poor can use them as inexpensive modes of transportation.

Organizer Graham Darling said he couldn’t cancel because “the poor are still with us and suffering.” On June 1, a Catholic university, St. Jerome’s in Waterloo, hoisted up a rainbow flag stating that not flying the flag  “was sending the message  that St. Jerome’s was not a welcoming space for the LGBTQ” and that “our mission and dedication is to be  community builders.” Is that not what the Knights of Columbus is doing with Bicycles for Humanity: providing a “welcoming space”?  Humans need to support charities that lift up the poor and marginalized, but they should not be bullied to sacrifice their faith and conscience because certain secular organizations would rather dismiss the poor than tolerate people with other beliefs. Well done, Knights, true and faithful servants, for your “mission and dedication”  and your  “community building” in Africa.

Anne Marie Manna Peter,

Toronto

Exploiting workers

Re: “Church reaching out to migrant workers” (June 21):

The abuses committed by Canadian farms against their hired foreign workers show us two things: the failure of the temporary foreign workers program to ensure the protection of participants and the overwhelming anti-Hispanic racism throughout North America.

Workers were exposed to coronavirus, denied sick leave, paid pittance and deported for failure to meet unreasonable work quotas. Shame on our agricultural industry for violating the human rights of foreign workers and exploiting them out of greed.

Christopher Mansour,

Barrie, Ont.

Missing Communion

I read with interest the article contributed by Fr. James Mallon in your issue of June 21. Two  sentences from his piece that caught my attention are as follows:

“The model of Church in which we minister to those who gather once a week is gone for now. The only way we will be able to gather and minister is if we become a Church that goes out.”

I generally agree with him on the second sentence. But as for the first, I am longing to attend the Sunday service and receive Holy Communion which I miss now. I am able to follow the Daily TV Mass but am missing the Holy Communion.

Jesus was particular in that we receive Him in body and Spirit, and this can only be done by attending church services at least once a week.

Benedict  Thomas,

Scarborough, Ont.

Heart of gold

Re: Letters, A bonnie fechter (May 10):

I wholeheartedly agree with the writer. Yes, Fr. Alphonse de Valk was a “crusty” Dutchman (as so many of we Hollanders are), but that very quality stood him in good stead as he courageously fought the culture of death; and underneath he had a heart of gold.

And yes, “May he rest in well-deserved peace.” He will be sorely missed in the entire pro-life movement.

Yvonne Dienesch

Eganville, Ont.