Last Updated:Thursday - 07/15/2010
May 12, 2008
WCR Letters to the Editor
Conformity masquerades as unity
Re: "Secular world forces a choice: Mystic or unbeliever?" (WCR, April 28).
I agree with Ron Rolheiser when he says that previous generations lived in a culture that was very much influenced by faith and religion whereas today's generation lives in a more secular culture.
He seems to be saying that this cultural shift forces us to make a decision to turn inward for our spiritual needs or to simply stop believing. I think that the choice facing us might be whether to grow towards true spiritual unity or to remain stunted in conformity masquerading as unity.
Growth is always a painful process so it's not surprising that many of us try to avoid it by remaining in a place that is comfortable and seemingly secure.
Jesus prepares us for the painful reality of spiritual growth when he says, "Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit" (John 12:24).
Just as individuals grow and mature so does Church (the people of God) grow and mature.
I hope one day to look back on my journey as a member of this Church and see how conformity has matured into unity, how domination has grown up into empowerment, fear has transformed into love, and words have given way to silence.
Lori Dexter
Gibbons
Watson gets raw deal from Bishop Henry
I would like to comment on Bishop Fred Henry's essay regarding animal rights (WCR, April 28).
First, Captain Paul Watson has devoted his whole life to helping animals, most specifically whales and seals. He uses media attention to help his cause, as otherwise the issue would be even further ignored.
Second, Bishop Henry seems to pull out just a few points to make his case that animal rights people have flawed and immoral thinking as regards to animals and humans, even putting animals above humans. That is kind of a stretch and really unnecessary.
Animal rights people often are not allied with the major religions just for the reasons that this bishop illustrates. The Catholic religion does not espouse a holistic attitude to all life. And this world is in crisis with overpopulation and its effects of pollution and decimation of species.
Has Bishop Henry looked at any of the humane society videos that show how the seals are inhumanely clubbed at only a few weeks of age? Has the bishop looked at the financial aspects of this business, where the sealers are subsidized and the Government of Canada pays millions of dollars just to allow them to club seals, instead of finding other ways to employ them?
Please Bishop Henry, do not comment on Paul Watson, as he has devoted every fibre of his being with love and compassion to helping animals and you write an article that does not do him any justice.
Ann Woltjen
Madison, Wis.
Fr. Gauthier served francophones well
On April 7 I attended the funeral service at St. Joseph Basilica for our beloved priest and friend, Father Cl‚ment Gauthier.
The liturgy was beautiful. It was certainly meant to celebrate his life. Father Gauthier was a Franco-albertain who spent 20 per cent of his active ministry serving the francophone parishes of the archdiocese. His funeral Mass had no evidence of this; the WCR failed to mention it and the article in The Edmonton Journal overlooked it as well.
I am left to think that this reality of Father Gauthier's life was insignificant, meaningless and not worth mentioning. I am so sad.
Clément Déry
Edmonton
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