Readers Speak Out: May 22, 2022

Wrong way

The war in Ukraine is horrific and, from my personal observations, the Pope is trying to do everything within his influence to stop it. I was therefore surprised and saddened that The Catholic Register printed an article in which the writer constantly calls the Pope “wrong” in his actions towards Ukraine. 

The Pope’s actions may have had a negative impact on the writer, Mychailo Wynnycxyj. It does not mean the Pope is wrong. When someone is negatively impacted by an action, it opens up an opportunity for dialogue. Hopefully constructive suggestions can be implemented to create a positive impact.

Everything I have seen about the Pope’s actions towards ending the war in Ukraine points to the exact opposite of Wynnycxyj’s conclusion. Does The Catholic Register support his statement?  If not, why was it published?

Carol Hanlon

Toronto

[Publisher’s note: Publication of columns and letters on our opinion pages does not constitute endorsement by The Catholic Register. We variously agree with all, some or none of the points in texts we publish. We seek a broad cross-section of views within the bounds of taste, legality, fair comment and relevance to Catholic life.]

Golden chaff

I take exception to The Catholic Register’s recent article on Paul McKenna’s promotion of the Golden Rule. How, pray tell, does one reconcile the Golden Rule of other faiths with John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me”?

The Register article subtly suggests one should embrace the tenants of religious pluralism and relativism. For Catholics, the good is a common good: one’s salvation in the presence of the Beatific Vision. It is fair to say Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism etc. do not share this same vision or desire. 

Read Ambrose Mong’s description of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger’s response (before he became Pope Benedict XVI) in Dialogue Derailed: Joseph Ratzinger’s War against Pluralist Theology. Mong acknowledges Ratzinger’s disquieting apprehension of the dangers of religious pluralism.

For all Paul McKenna’s credentials, he is misinformed. This kind of article does not belong in a Catholic newspaper.

Peter Swirzon

Cromwell, CT.

Intolerant tolerance

I support your May 8 editorial’s condemnation of an advisory panel calling on the Department of National Defence to bar from chaplaincy those from faiths opposing women’s priesthood or that disagree with same sex-marriage. It’s clear the recommendation is mainly directed at the Catholic Church.

It’s contradictory that the panel claims to seek inclusivity but aims to achieve it by excluding Catholics. The deeply flawed recommendation stems from a secular ideology which promotes anti-Catholic intolerance in the name of tolerance.

Claudio Ceolin

Toronto

Faith infusion

In his May 15 article about military chaplaincy, Fr. Timothy Nelligan describes faith as “a way of life.” His language could be more precise. Faith is an infused theological virtue which, with hope and charity, unites the soul to God. St. John of the Cross teaches that faith purifies the intellect in such a way that even in this life God can be intimately known. Faith is not a way of life but a way of seeing.

Lise Anglin

Toronto