Letters to the Editor.

From Abbot Peter Novecosky, OSB, re Fr. Britz and the Pope

I noticed in your April issue that you took issue with an editorial of Fr. Andrew Britz in the Jan. 19 Prairie Messenger. You quoted this sentence of his editorial: "Throughout our history worn en have been at best second-class citizens in the Church." You call this assertion "false."

In your May issue you carry the pope's request for forgiveness for Church sins of the past, including "sins against the dignity of women and the unity of the human race."

This confession by Pope John Paul II is in line with what he said in his June 29, 1985, Letter to Women (#3):

"Unfortunately, we are heirs to a history which has conditioned us to a remarkable extent. In every time and place, this conditioning has been an obstacle to the progress of women. Women's dignity has often been unacknowledged and their prerogatives misrepresented; they have often been relegated to the margins of society and even reduced to servitude. This has prevented women from truly being themselves and it has resulted in a spiritual impoverishment of humanity.

"Certainly it is no easy task to assign the blame for this, considering the many kinds of cultural conditioning which down the centuries have shaped ways of thinking and acting. And if objective blame, especially in particular historical contexts, has belonged to not just a few members of the Church, for this I am truly sorry. May this regret be transformed, on the part of the whole church, into a renewed commitment of fidelity to the Gospel vision.

"When it comes to setting women free from every kind of exploitation and domination, the Gospel contains an ever-relevant message which goes back to the attitude of Jesus himself Transcending the established norms of his own culture, Jesus treated women with openness, respect, acceptance and tenderness. In this way he honoured the dignity which women have always possessed according to God's plan and in his love. As we look to Christ at the end of this Second Millennium, it is natural to ask ourselves: how much of his message has been heard and acted upon?

"Yes, it is time to examine the past with courage, to assign responsibility where it is due in a review of the long history of humanity. Women have contributed to that history as much as men and, more often than not, they did so in much more difficult conditions.... Sadly, very little of women's achievements in history can be registered by the science of history....

St. Peter's Abbey 

Muenster, SK

Editor: To acknowledge that women have been discriminated against on many occasions is one thing. To say that for 2000 years they have been at best second-class citizens in the Church is quite another. The latter implies that there is something wrong or evil about Church structures which, therefore, must be changed, changes perhaps such as women's ordination. I see the Pope's observations as an apology and Fr. Britz's as an accusation. The Holy Father acknowledges that the Church's 2000-yearlong effort to lift women (and men) to a higher spiritual level than what the world offers, has often failed to live up to Christ's invitation. Fr. Britz, however, seems to imply that the Church should adapt the standards of the world.

From Joe Campbell re capitalism

I have no objection if Colin Burke (Letters, June, p.5) wishes to rechristen capitalism "wealthism." Creating wealth is not inconsistent with supporting families. On the contrary, we must be able to create wealth efficiently and extensively if we wish to support families materially.

More than any other system, capitalism has liberated poor families. To survive, typical capitalist innovators have had to get their prices low enough to tap a mass consumer market. This has enhanced the quality of life of the poor more than the rich, who could afford the pre-innovation prices.

If we are genuinely concerned about families, two realities we would strive to change are the formation of single-parent households and the high incidence of marriage breakdown. Marriage and the traditional family militate against poverty; illegitimacy and divorce promote it. In Retooling the Welfare State, John Richards notes that, between 1975 and 1992, the poverty rate among Canadian single-parent families was roughly five times higher than among two-parent households.

American studies indicate that most people will escape poverty if they complete high school, find and persevere in a job, even at minimum wage, and get and stay married. The high school diploma helps them find work, the wages enable them to get married and start a family, the added responsibility encourages them to hold on to the job or find another. Under these circumstances, very few are likely to remain at or near minimum wage. On the other hand, if they drop out of school, wait for the ideal job to come along before going to work, produce children out of wedlock or get divorced, their chances of living in poverty are much increased.

It is true that the early capitalist factory system fostered many evils: incredibly long work days, dangerous and unhealthy work places, child labour, and shockingly low wages. When confronted with these evils we often fail to consider whether, despite its deficiencies, the factory system might have been an improvement over conditions that preceded it or prevailed beyond its reach.

We tend, for example, to romanticize the pre-industrial age. The people we are apt to read about from the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries are not the many who were poor but the few who were rich or privileged enough to excel in political intrigue or private adventure. We are thus disposed to idealize a time when the average age at death was around 20, due in part to a dreadful rate of infant and child mortality, when the cottages which families lived and worked in were inadequately constructed, dimly lighted and poorly ventilated, when basic hygiene was lacking and illiteracy was rampant, when diets were drab and meagre and the consumption of alcohol notoriously high, and when most people dwelt under tyranny.

An agricultural revolution preceded the industrial revolution and contributed to a massive exodus from the countryside to the towns. As Bertrand de Jouvenel has noted, the consequent squalor and pauperism typical of large migrations "occurred as well in countries untouched by the Industrial Revolution, where they produced waves of beggars instead of underpaid workers."

Thomas S. Ashton, who studied the reports of royal commissions and other commissions of inquiry from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, concluded that earnings were at their lowest among domestic workers, not factory employees, and labour conditions were at their worst in garret or cellar workshops, not in large establishments making use of steam power. Although misery attended the birth of capitalism, so for the first time did hope that we might overcome the misery. In a relatively few years, it became obvious that for increasing numbers of people this hope had not been misplaced.

Saskatoon, SK

From Bernard F. Pickles re Michael Coren 

I have always believed that our "rights" are given to us from God and include such things as rights to life, free speech, and freedom of religion. As material things are of no use to us in our journey to Heaven, and are even a danger when coveted from others, I am surprised, therefore, that Michael Coren in your May 2000 column titled "This, I believe" included a basic right to a full belly. St. Paul would certainly disagree with a full-belly right when he wrote (2 Thess 3:10,11):

For also when we were with you, this we declared to you; that if any man will not work, neither let him eat, for we have heard that there are some among you who walk disorderly, working not at all, but curiously meddling.

It is interesting that St. Paul had to tell the Thessalonians twice to stop giving food to those who will not work--this an early example of reckless charity or liberalism causing harm by doing for others what they ought to be doing for themselves. Walking disorderly and curiously meddling--was this a prophecy of today's N. American Spoilt Brat Land?

Mr. Coren states that we have additional rights to a warm home, a good education, first class health care, etc., but no mention of who is to pay for all these material rights--he must mean the government or more directly our neighbours the taxpayers?

His Holiness John Paul II, in Centesimus Annus, no doubt from his extensive experience of big government in our bellies, homes, and education, etc., echoed St. Paul's words 2000 years later when he said:

By intervening directly and depriving society of its responsibility, the social assistance state leads to a loss of human energies in an increase of public agencies, which are dominated more by bureaucratic ways of thinking than by concern for serving their clients, and which are accompanied by an enormous increase in spending.

I, too, want the government out of my belly home, education, religion, and back pocket.

Tweed, ON

From Alida van der Vegt re Catholic Women's League and World March of Women

I am a member of the C.W.L. and very upset with our National Executive who reaffirmed their support of the objectives of this year's World March of Women. These objectives are to end violence against women. But what about the ultimate violence in the womb? The violence of abortion? 50% of the babies who die a violent death in their mothers' womb are our sisters. Where is our solidarity with them?

This could have been a great opportunity for the C.W.L. to take a stand and say No! We can and will not be part of this World March!

These demands for "quality publicly-funded abortion services" and lesbian rights are in direct conflict with what we stand for: to protect the sanctity of human life and the institution of marriage between one man and one woman. Our participation in this march will create a disunity among the members of the C.W.L. We are not living up to our C.W.L. constitution and bylaws.

Article IV states, "The object of the League shall be to unite Catholic Women of Canada." I am a member of the Peterborough Diocesan C.W.L. We have decided we cannot be part of this Women's March because of the above demands. I personally have made a decision to cut up my membership card and mail it to the National Executive with a message that they should resign before more damage is done to the C.W.L.

I will, however, still support my local parish and only pay the amount of my dues that stays in the parish. Feel free to do the same if you do not go along with what the C.W.L. is doing. If we are not part of the culture of life then we are part of the culture of death! We cannot have it both ways.

Peterborough, ON

From Terry Snyder

I would like to comment on the decision of the Canadian bishops and other Catholic groups to support the International World March of Women 2000.

Are they fully interested in ending poverty and violence against women? If they were, they would vigorously petition Western governments to end the huge sums spent on depopulating the Third World by programs promoting abortion, sterilization, contraceptive drugs and devices, and pornographic sex education. These savings could provide funds for the eradication of poverty.

Their failure to stand up against the ultimate in violence, the capital punishment of innocent unborn female and male children undermines their other aim, the defence of women.

Thus for Catholic groups to support this World March gives a very mixed message as to the Church's position on these key moral issues. To avoid this kind of confusion was the reason why the Vatican eventually withdrew its UNICEF funding.

Hopefully, it might not be too late for Catholic groups to set up their own programs. These could include vigorously challenging politicians to redirect population control funds, and to bring in laws protecting the unborn.

Windsor, ON

From the Wangs on Immaculate Heart of Mary School

Many thanks for your recent article on Mary, Mother of God, School in Toronto (May 00, pp.32-33). Certainly Pope John Paul II has stated most profoundly, "The future of humanity and the social development of a nation depend to a great extent on the quality of its schools."

Toronto is not the only community to offer such a wonderful educational option. Since 1993, the Kitchener/ Waterloo area has been blessed to have Immaculate Heart of Mary School, which is a small co-educational private school (currently offering grades 1 through 9). Families from as far away as Stratford and Guelph make the journey daily to attend. The fact that the school plans to offer a complete high school curriculum is a great incentive for many families. Loyal to the Holy Father and the Magisterium, the school offers a carefully selected curriculum based on traditional teaching methods.

The "essentials" of reading, writing, and arithmetic are definite strong points, and drama and music are also stressed. (The production of a Christmas Nativity Play video has been purchased by Mother Angelica's EWTN and was aired as part of her Christmas special for two consecutive years.) Most importantly, the children receive a solid traditional Catholic education, with daily Rosary and Angelus, weekly Divine Mercy Chaplet, twice-weekly Holy Mass (with the Sacrament of Reconciliation offered), and daily catechesis. Eucharistic Adoration is offered several times during the school year. Prayer is an integral part of the school day, and the lives of the saints are incorporated into many of their other lessons. The school fosters a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin, and the children grow in love for the Lord through the gentle guidance of His Holy Mother.

There are no set tuition fees to attend the school; instead, parents are encouraged to give what they can afford each month. The remaining revenues are drawn from the kind patronage of generous donors. Next fall the school will again see substantial growth. This is a wonderful and exciting time for the school as it seeks to expand beyond its present facility to support this growth.

However, there has never been greater demand for new donors. As a pro-family, pro-life periodical, your readership should take a strong interest in the emergence of such authentic Catholic learning environments. Surely the pro-life leaders of this millennium will be nurtured here, not to mention the vocations to religious life! The school would be most grateful for any donations to assist in its expansion, and to persevere in its mission of offering a truly Roman Catholic education to any families who desire this, regardless of their ability to afford private education for their children.

Kitchener, ON

Please call to learn more about us. Help sow the seed of life whose truths are everlasting. Contact: Mr. Dominic Posella, Principal. Tel [phone], 155 Abrens West, Kitchener, ON, N2H 4C6

From Deacon Daniel Dauvin re politicians

Politicians who have promoted and voted for same-sex legislation have not only thwarted God's plan for marriage and the human family but have also given dangerous ammunition to our nation's newest and most powerful hate movement: the radical homosexual lobby.

The ordinary citizen is rightfully afraid of this radical movement because it is "out of control" even though it now boasts having the courts, the media, many politicians and even the leader of the country himself in its back pocket.

It is time for us to wake up to this clear and present danger to our religious freedom and democratic rights. It is time to elect people who have the guts to stand up to this unholy assault on all we hold dear, people who have the courage of their convictions, people who truly believe in marriage and family values, people who will not shirk their moral responsibility as soon as they are elected.

In fighting this dark chaotic tide however, we cannot return hate for hate or injury for injury. Instead we have to use the unconquerable weapons given to us by Christ Jesus, our Lord: truth and love, because we are not actually fighting against human beings but against the spirits that originate the darkness of this world. Whether they be the depraved souls who promote immorality and the weakening of the family or the weak, misguided, depraved politicians who legislate it, we should be prepared to courageously proclaim to them God's truth about the dignity of the human person, the family and the proper use of sexuality. We all hay e to understand that since we have been created by God, it is only by following His universal moral laws and His commandment of love that we will find the true meaning of our life here on earth and eternal happiness in the next.

Killaloe, ON

From A. and V. Morse on the place of the tabernacle 

We appreciate Catholic Insight and read each issue with great interest. The article "Church Architecture: the Temple of the New Covenant" (Mar 00, pp. 2627) is particularly important at this time in our diocese, since sweeping changes are being introduced, particularly the displacement of the tabernacle from its central position in the church, and the removal of the kneelers.

Faith in the Real Presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is the centrepiece of our Catholic religion. Without the belief that Jesus is physically as well as spiritually present with us, every other aspect of our faith is weakened: in the words of Our Lord in Holy Scripture; in the sacraments; in miracles; in the tradition of the Church and the authority of the Magisterium. All depend on this one central fact: Jesus is risen and is still with us in the Blessed Sacrament. The faith of children and youth is being further weakened by this disrespect for the presence of God in our churches.

To remove the tabernacle to a side altar is not only an insult to Our Lord; it is also an insult to the faithful who come to church to worship Jesus and to share in His divine life.

One wonders why our bishops and priests wish to "sideline" our Lord. It gives the impression that their own faith is weak, and therefore they do not wish to affirm the faith of their congregations. If they do, indeed, believe that Jesus Christ is present, "body, blood, soul and divinity" as the words of the Mass proclaim, for what reason do they wish to remove Him from His central position in our Catholic churches?

We believe that this is a serious abuse of their authority, and can only lead to further disunity in the Church.

Ottawa, ON

From Camille Goutier

C.I.'s Jan/Feb 2000 edition, in the section News in Brief, under the heading "Bishops: Tabernacle in Centre" quotes The Wanderer which says: "One after another, nearly three dozen bishops, including three cardinals, acknowledged how" the liturgical changes and mandates of the post conciliar period have weakened, damaged, or destroyed the faith of the Catholic people. "And by far the biggest mistake, it was finally acknowledged, was the recommendation that the tabernacle should be removed from the central altar."

In the same article, one reads that Archbishop Sheehan of Santa Fe said: "We have all experienced a lessening of devotion to the Eucharist, a loss of the sense of the Real Presence; the sense of the sacred has suffered."

In the April 2000 edition, the Catholic Insight editorial states: "In the United States, this particular change (the removal of the Tabernacle's central position on the altar) has now aroused the ire and determined opposition of a large number of bishops."

It is really surprising that only now have the multitude of changes to the Liturgy, especially those to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, aroused the ire and determined opposition of the bishops.

Where have all the bishops in North America been hiding since 1973 when the major changes began occurring and haven't stopped occurring since then? Joussard, AB

Editor: For the Canadian situation, please re-read the April and June articles by Nicholas Burn.

From a subscriber on first confessions.

The News in Brief (C.I. May, 2000) ite- Bishop Sherlock on First Confession-may be much less heartening than it at first appears. The item reports: He (Bishop Sherlock) asks those responsible to ensure that every child making First Holy Communion has the opportunity for confession first.

"Asking" for "the opportunity" is not what the Church has in mind. What the Church does have in mind is given with clarity in the 1992 Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1457: Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.