Readers Speak Out: April 17, 2022

Backlash whiplash

The meeting of Indigenous representatives with Pope Francis makes me reflect on the relationship of Church and State in Canada, their partnerships in the residential schools and in State funding of Catholic education.  The media has made clear the responsibility of the Church regarding residential schools, but not so much that of the State. The Church is left holding the bag for many unfortunate things that transpired because of her role as the teacher of morality and spirituality.  

I fear the Church will be the whipping boy regarding Catholic education in Ontario. The elimination of State funding of Catholic schools in Newfoundland is slowly being planted here in Ontario. Catholicism is made to bear the backlash in primary domains of the State, while the media take advantage of the exposé of sexual abuses in the Church.

Rufino Ty, 

Brampton, Ont.

Fact finding

Regarding your editorial “Respect the Facts” in the April 3 Catholic Register, perhaps this will provide some facts about the Kamloops cemetery.

After the Kamloops residential school graves were reported with outraged voices, Global TV News interviewed two elderly Indigenous women from Kamloops. They stated there are about 215 graves. The graves were marked by wooden crosses, which have decayed away without a budget for the families to replace them. The cemetery adjacent to the former residential school was not the school’s but rather the City of Kamloops Catholic cemetery. Everyone was buried there, mostly, as one would expect, elderly people. Both women stated their parents were buried there.

The cemetery was active for about 100 years so, on average, two internments a year.

Paul Larocque,

Markham, Ont.

Going dark

In times of crisis, governments are responsible for citizens’ well-being. I remember the Second World War as a child in England. Householders closed curtains because light served as a marker for the Luftwaffe. A sliver of light resulted in a fine. 

The number of deaths from COVID is no secret. News media report it consistently. Possibly because of “alternative truths,” a noisy minority believed fantastic misinformation, and passed on fairy tales to everyone. Hence, the protests for brain-washed citizens tired of being confined to their homes.

Pope Francis, a voice of reason, encouraged us all to get vaccinated. Sadly, increasing numbers of our clergy won’t listen. Please, Mr. Editor, for the sake of the common good, think twice before continuing letters on this divisive issue.

Christine Nagel,

Calgary, Alberta

Lasting peace

How can we secure lasting peace for the world? The Archbishop of Santa Fe, John C. Wester, reminds us we should abolish nuclear weapons. His January 2022 pastoral letter acknowledges America’s role in making the atomic bomb.

We should also review Canada’s role, including in supplying uranium. Conscious of our historical role, while understanding the present risks in Ukraine, we should rid the world of the scourge of nuclear weapons. In doing so, we act as stewards of creation, celebrate a culture of life, and can reallocate money to the poor.

Adam Olkovich

Toronto