LETTERS

Rosica's comments are clerical obfuscation and distortion

The Editor: Rev. Thomas Rosica’s comments on the sexual abuse crisis in “Remember Gospel in the midst of crisis” (PM, April 21) is an insult to the intelligence of Catholics of conscience. The idea that the hierarchy’s coverup of cases of clerical sexual abuse that took place in the 1980s and 1990s is somehow excusable because the church was not “fully aware of the gravity of these issues in the past” is ridiculous.


Sexual assualt was just as criminal in the ’80s and ’90s as it is today. Canadian Bishop Raymond Lahey was arrested for the possession of child pornography in 2009, not decades ago; the fact that he had recently travelled to countries notorious for child prostitution is truly horrifying.


Rosica’s warnings against becoming imprisoned in the past and talk of “freshness, newness and reconciliation” is simply clerical obfuscation and a distortion of the Gospel. — Alana Green, Winnipeg

Judaism's money changers, institutions take on different guise


The Editor: In his time Jesus was considered a rebel by the Jewish religious establishment. The Scriptures recount many instances when he chastised the “scribes and Pharisees” for the ‘yokes’ they placed on the people.


His anger broke out fully upon the vendors and money changers who, with the approval of the temple authorities, turned his Father’s house into a “den of thieves.” Yet, it was the religious institution of Judaism that he sought to discredit, not those who followed the true tenets of Judaism which included many within the groups he targeted. Those who loved God and neighbour he welcomed as friends and followers, even those counted as sinners.

So, would Jesus be any more comfortable with the Roman Catholic Church of today? I think he would find it to be a very similar institution to the one he encountered centuries ago — one where the hierarchy seems intent on maintaining the status quo and defending itself at all cost, often at the expense of those who most need its mercy and succour.


As the scribes and Pharisees burdened the children of Israel so have those who lead the church so complicated the path to the Kingdom that the people of God often despair of reaching it outside of taking holy orders.

Yet, the heart of the church, the people, is sound, The people worship, give thanks, embrace the sacraments and, led by the Spirit, follow as best they can, in love, the Carpenter of Nazareth.

In the institution, however, the money changers have simply been replaced by a different sort of abusers and their protectors and the scribes and Pharisees — well, you can assign these roles according to their fruits.

Excuse me, I see a stake awaiting me. — Hal Studholme Winnipeg

Ignatieff's speech to students ill advised

The Editor: On April 24 Michael Ignatieff was invited to Holy Cross High School in Saskatoon. Now the question arises, what does a pro-abortion politician have to say to our impressive young people that can contribute to protection for the unborn?


It seems that the administration needs to be called to account. Why are they creating division and undoing years of hard work done by pro-lifers? We have worked very hard in the pro-life movement to accomplish some measure of protection for society’s most vulnerable citizens. Is there deep division internally within the Christian church? At a time when secular society is attacking us with vitriol, why does a Catholic institution offer a platform to someone against our very principles?


It is a time for unity within the church, not fragmentation. The pro-life side has created a bond and unity across denominational lines with its core stand for life and family values. Centuries of animosity disappear when we work together on this heart-wrenching issue. Catholics and Protestants now pray together at abortion clinics, and a bond is developed that no theological decree can ever hope to accomplish.


Orthodox scholar Alexander Webster writes: “It (abortion) is one of only several moral issues on which not one dissenting opinion has ever been expressed by the Church Fathers.”


I am sure the bean counters and apologists have a ready answer, but that will not suffice in today’s educated and Internet savvy society, where information is readily available.


Pilot asked Jesus, “What is Truth?” I would like to ask: Is truth merely defined, or is it to be practiced and lived? — Cliff Pyle, Saskatoon