WCR Letters to the Editor

Back Porch listens, informs

Re: "Byfield sees slow progress in battle against abortion, (WCR, Jan. 21).

First, I want to express appreciation for the Western Catholic Reporter's excellent coverage of life issues and the work of various pro-life groups over the past few months. Many people, Catholics and non-Catholics, are grateful to you for helping to educate Albertans on the threats to the dignity of all human life in our society.

I wanted to clarify a couple of points from your coverage last week. I am the acting executive director of Alberta Pro-Life, not the Back Porch Ministry. Amanda Phillips, an energetic and passionate young woman, very ably holds the job of ministry coordinator at the Back Porch.

Also, the Back Porch is not a counselling service. The Back Porch volunteers listen to the women and men who come in and talk to them about their decision to have an abortion. They offer pamphlets and information about abortion and its effects.

Those who are wavering about abortion and want counselling are referred to existing pregnancy counselling centres in the province. The Back Porch Ministry is an 11th-hour, last chance for those who might feel pushed into choosing abortion.

Thank you again for helping to educate all of us.

Joanne Byfield
Acting Executive Director
Alberta Pro-Life Alliance Association
Edmonton

Reasons abound for the lack of vocations

Re: "Priests are too busy to be married" (WCR Letters, Jan. 21).

Harold Hogan states very good reasons supporting celibacy in the priesthood and I agree with all of them.

Without having read Walter Walchuk's letter (Dec. 17), the one that Mr. Hogan is commenting about, I can imagine that Mr. Walchuk himself would agree with Mr. Hogan's reasoning.

He quite clearly and, in my opinion, quite accurately, illustrated the challenges that face any vocation to the priesthood.

The fact is, however, that both men with the vocation to married life and men with the vocation to celibate life are called to the vocation of priesthood.

The Ukrainian Catholic Church ordains married men. This is why it is important that "our Church should make room for married priests."

Let's face it.

Nobody is flocking to become priests.

The reasons for this lie much, much deeper than the question of being married or celibate.

Basil Sych
Devon

Cathedral built from looted limestone

I read with great interest Ted Fitzgerald's article about Merida (WCR, Jan. 21).

We visited the town a couple of years ago and it is indeed a beautiful city with a lot of old buildings, numerous museums and parks. Too bad most tourists get stuck in Cancun.

I find it ironic that the author mentions the limited interior ornamentation because of looting during regional disturbances.

That's exactly how the cathedral was built in the first place.

Mayan places of worship were dismantled piece by piece to build the San Ildefonso cathedral. I do not find that a recycling of local limestone but rather a tragedy.

It made me think of the old adage: What goes around comes around.

Thanks for a great paper.

Priska Strickler
Sherwood Park

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