Readers Speak Out: January 10, 2021

Follow science

While most churches, synagogues and temples have followed the COVID-19 guidelines of Dr. Bonnie Henry there have been several faith communities in B.C. (and the U.S, including Trump with his rallies) who have repudiated these directives, maintaining their God-given and constitutional right to meet face to face. 

It is unfortunate that those faith communities who have been compliant should bear the consequences of those who haven’t; it makes it very difficult to determine which religious group should be allowed to meet. However,  the B.C. Provincial Health Office has been extremely effective in tracing the many ways the virus spreads: team sports, family reunions and religious gatherings, etc. Regardless of religious conviction there is no reason to excuse empirical facts: to do so is at our own risk.

We need to respect what science can tell us and what religion can do. When it comes to spiritual aspirations, out of body experiences and life after death, etc., science has a limited ability to explain. But when it comes to natural laws, diseases and mental illnesses modern science is able to inform.

Social safety measures such as seat belts in cars and planes, helmets for bicycles and motorcycles, etc., have been generally accepted. The same is true for wearing masks, distancing and taking the vaccine by everyone. With the continuing national increase of pandemic statistics it is apparent that some haven’t taken this seriously, unfortunately resulting in others having to suffer, sometimes fatally. 

A. Leering,

White Rock, B.C.

Support Pope

Re: Allegations lead us down a dangerous path (Nov. 29):

Charles Lewis’ well-written article should be read as a warning of the chaos the Church faces if we continue to follow the path we are on. We have drifted so far away from the biblical Christ that to many of us He is unrecognizable. We have by our indifference re-fashioned our faith to image a metaphorical piscine world whose inhabitants bear the distinct feature of announcing the commencement of their demise by rotting from the head or top.

The two clerics referred to by Mr. Lewis were literally from the top of the Church’s governing bodies — one a member of the College of Cardinals and the other a high-ranking archbishop. The latest to stumble into this cohort of misfits is Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who the Pope sacked for financial impropriety. Removing all his privileges now exposes him to prosecution.

I think every Catholic who cherishes the eternal values of his/her faith has a duty to support Pope Francis in his endeavours to return the Church to its biblical foundations and help us realize that the path to salvation winds through the poverty, obedience and humility of Assisi, and not to the pomp and grandeur of the Vatican.

J.E. Sequeira,

Pointe Claire, Que.

Election tragedy

Ms. Smyth of Scarborough has it backwards when she describes the Trump defeat as a tragedy. Actually, his 2016 election was the tragedy. Let’s not deal in opinions but facts. Over 330,000 deaths from COVID in the U.S because of Trump’s lack of leadership. How about children separated from parents at the southern border? This by a self described pro-lifer. Courts wasted no time in dumping his childish claims re the election result. The list goes on. Thank goodness he won’t.

Lorne Harasen,

Regina, Sask.