Readers Speak Out: November 7, 2021

Glaring omission

I am glad to know from the news that Pope Francis is coming to Canada as recommended by the TRC. That surely will soothe the emotional and psychological wounds of the Indigenous peoples. However, it is God who heals our brokenness, especially our spiritual wounds.

I am pointing this out because God had been omitted from our concerns, as if we, human beings, can fix everything on our own. The omission to mention God in the CCCB apology is evidence of this. 

How can Canadian Catholic bishops not give any reference to God whom they represent? Although the Pope is the highest representative of God on Earth he does not replace God from our direct personal connection with Him. 

Rufino Ty,

Brampton, Ont.

Enriching life

Re: Letters (Oct. 24):

Congratulations to Cy Abbass for saying so well what so many of us are thinking and should be saying. Unfortunately, anyone who tries to point out the good done by priests, nuns and brothers is criticized or even ostracized, yet it is important to tell it.

Anyone who has had the benefit of being taught by nuns or has been in a hospital run by nuns knows how much is lost nowadays with their not being involved.

Being part of the parish community with clergy and lay people participating in the liturgy and in parish organizations that help the less fortunate is life enriching. So, yes, let us open ourselves to the “whole reality.”

Irene Debono,

Etobicoke, Ont.

Political vision

Re: The common good (Oct. 10):

Your editorial states: “Catholics and Catholic social teaching must have a place on the political stage. That does not mean forming a separate political party, but rather working with politicians from all stripes in creating a vision of the common good.” Can’t we do both? How about working together with people from all stripes in common political cause to reimagine a vision of the good, life-affirming society?

Is forming a political party — e.g. a Life Party — really not an option? Exactly how successful have we Catholics been in having our social and moral teachings made manifest in recent politics? Or in having Catholic politicians act upon them? Why not have an open, interfaith, intercultural political party dedicated to “life issues” writ large? To effect political change, those of us with expansive life concerns should strive to exercise power as well as to inform it.

We do yet have legacy separate schools and some separate health care facilities, though we need more of the latter now, given the growing culture of death (e.g. MAiD and abortion). With loss of medical conscience rights, climate change, socio-economic inequities, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, Indigenous genocide, historical Black marginalization and immigrant abuses, there are many injustices to remedy. Let’s give voters with our concerns and mutual convictions a real choice and meaningful chance to save and improve lives in a truly caring, inclusive society. Together, with courage and leadership, we can make a real difference.

Eldred MacIntyre,

Georgina, Ont.

Great film

Re: Film captures story of Enduring Faith (Sept. 19):

Thank you for the article on this film. As a child I went to Camp Tekakwitha on Paradise Lake (near Waterloo, Ont.). I never knew anything about Kateri Tekakwitha.

I watched the film on the Knights of Columbus website. It was great.

Sr. Rosanne Logel,

Burlington, Ont.