Letters to the Editor

Peter @ Pentecost

Gospel means good news and culminates in the happiness of Easter. But the joy of the apostles was tempered knowing the Lord would depart and they would be on their own.

Non-contentious

On May 18, the publisher of The Catholic Register, Peter Stockland, was going to moderate a debate, organized by the Archdiocese of Toronto, intended to help Catholic voters with their choice in the Ontario provincial election. To prepare considered answers, candidates would have received the questions in advance.

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. 

Indigenous liturgy

I want to compliment Michael Swan on his April 17 article “Still a way to go on Indigenous liturgy.”

Crisis of fear

Peter Stockland’s column “Be not afraid” references the over-the-top reaction to the pandemic, but it also has powerful theological implications.

First steps

Your March 22 editorial “Look to Rome” states your commitment to “reconciliation between Canada’s First Nations and its, shall we say, later arrivals.” Cheeky! But overlooking Indigenous beliefs that they always existed on the land, and that “settlers”  were not simply later arrivals but a deceiving, destructive, endless throng that led to extreme social dislocation and loss of life, land and culture? Read Thomas King, Bob Joseph or Jesse Wente for detail.

Pompous Peter

What is Peter Stockland afraid of? After reading his rather pompous and self-opinionated April 3 column, I was disappointed in his lack of knowledge and compassion.

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.  

Listening hearts

I have never been more proud of the Catholic Church than when I heard Pope Francis’ response last week to our Indigenous community in Canada. It was not so much what he said, but an acknowledgement that he had listened.

Antidote to war

Re: War and the Cross (Editorial, March 13):

In the anti-war film Oh! What a Lovely War patriotic hymns are sung, and a pastor tells his congregation theirs is a righteous cause against a dastardly enemy. The scene then cuts to the other side and their pastor. It brilliantly clarifies the nature of war: a mass psychosis.