Readers Speak Out: February 21, 2021

Special niece

Re: Is technology threatening our humanity? (Jan. 17):

I was impressed with Charles Lewis’ article. We have a niece who is Down’s Syndrome. Sarah is now 39. She was born with major heart and other problems. I was working in Kingston when her parents brought her as a baby to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto,  I was shocked what I saw — this little baby with tubes and machines keeping her alive.

As she grew up she became a most cherished child with 20-plus aunts and uncles and over 70 cousins. She was joy-filled. She brought the entire family together. Sarah would come up to me and all her aunts or uncles and say (in my case), “Uncle Don, you are my FAVOURITE uncle.”

Six years ago there was a family reunion with approximately 250 people there. When Sarah came in it was outstanding. Everyone loved Sarah and they showed it.

Sarah is living with her mom and dad. She is blind but remains very special to all of us. She has made this world a much better place to be.

Many thanks to Mr. Lewis for his article.

Don Adams,

Langley, B.C.

Moral law

Re: Bill C-7:

Natural Moral Law states that every person has the right to life and the obligation to protect it. With or without religious convictions, how can any person claim that their life and their rights are not being respected, dare to claim such when they readily espouse the death of children and the vulnerable by means of abortion and/or euthanasia? It is the greatest hypocrisy that humanity can commit. It is the fullness of justifying the most grotesque guilt of our human condition, because abortion and euthanasia are the greatest of inhumane acts and the most profound disregard for the right to life.

Fr. Timothy P. V. Nelligan,

Ottawa, Ont.

Being vigilant

Re: Say no to racism (Jan. 31):

I greatly appreciated reading the inspiring editorial in The Register. It highlighted the achievement of some Black people and the ongoing challenges faced by Black people living in Canada.

Racism is a topic that many of us expect the Church to take a leadership role in because the Church is seen as a fierce defender of the sacredness of life and justice. As Pope Francis said, “we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life.”

We can all do our part to raise awareness of this sin against God’s love by being vigilant and sensitive in our relationship with others in our believing communities.

Fr. Yaw Acheampong,

Toronto

Courage needed

It was truly disappointing to hear U.S. President Joe Biden’s praise for Planned Parenthood (IPPF) at the recent national Prayer Breakfast. Founded by eugenicist Margaret Sanger, the IPPF is recognized as one of the world’s leading referral agencies responsible for the deaths of millions of children before birth. 

In contrast, in the mid-1970s, Toronto Archbishop Philip Pocock withdrew Catholic Charities from the United Way because of its decision to accept Planned Parenthood as a member agency. His courage in the face of much opposition then is the spiritual leadership in such great demand today. 

Jim Hughes,

Vice President, International Right to Life Federation