Readers Speak Out: January 31, 2021

Bad fruit

Re: Biden poses issues for U.S. bishops (Jan. 17):

I am sick and tired of Catholics in general and the leadership in the Church supporting cultural Catholics/Christians.

Biden is a Catholic/Christian in name only. He has spent almost 50 years in politics enriching himself and his family while supporting policies that kill the innocent. If Catholics expect anything good to come from his presidency, you will be sorely mistaken. He is no friend to Catholics/Christians. 

“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them” (Matthew 7:18-20). 

Trump and Biden do not bear good fruit, so we should not blindly support either. It is time we start supporting politicians who are true Catholics and Christians, and stop settling for wolves in sheep’s clothing because they will just bite us in the end. 

Paul David R. Garrelfs,

Mississauga, Ont.

Be cautious

I am always amazed how theologians can align themselves with any government they may attest to as the one which can save a nation or the world. I applaud the U.S. bishops for being cautious over this new administration.

Speculation without facts can certainly cloud the perspective and the narrative. Whether or not Fratelli Tutti espouses democratic values does very little to repair the rifts within the population or nation.

Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) describes in his book Western Culture Today and Tomorrow a warning for Christians who place such trust in the idol of governments. He gives the warning of democracy turning to intolerant dogmatism and the topsy turvy values where “at a given moment everything can be permitted and even necessary, can be ‘moral’ in a new sense of the word.”

It remains to be seen what the future holds for western democracy.

Rose Galbraith,

Hamilton, Ont.

Pro-life giant

With the death of Chicago’s Joe Scheidler the pro-life movement has lost a giant. Campaign Life Coalition has collaborated with him and his Pro-Life Action League on many occasions. He has spoken at many venues and conferences in Canada, assisting the Canadian movement in so many ways. Joe loved our pro-life hero, the late Fr. Ted Colleton, whom he called the greatest priest since the Curé of Ars.

Jim Hughes,

President Emeritus Campaign Life Coalition

Vice President, International Right to Life Federation

Dignity ignored

Re: Hospice closure a sign of spiritual malignancy (Jan. 17):

The closure of the Irene Thomas Hospice is not only “a sign of spiritual malignancy” but is indicative of a harsh, merciless spirit. Those responsible for the closure evidently don’t care that many near the end of life don’t want medically-assisted death and desire to receive proper palliative care. Instead, euthanasia is presented as the only option.   

Thus, the elderly and the terminally ill are treated like disposable objects since they’re not productive and drive up health-care costs. This is very disrespectful to them and the contributions they have made to society. It’s contrary to the Catholic belief in the inherent dignity of the human person made in the image of God.

Claudio Ceolin,

Toronto