I have been following an online course on St. Thomas Aquinas provided by the Order of Preachers, also known as the Dominicans. 

Following 29 deaths in the U.S. and at least three cases of severe illnesses in Canada, the Canadian government is stepping up efforts to speak out about vaping, defined as “the act of inhaling and exhaling an aerosol produced by a vaping product, such as an electronic cigarette.”

The current federal election campaign is perhaps the saddest in Canada’s 152-year history. With its emphasis on political spectacle, minimal contact with voters and a refusal to look the future in the face, one wonders what democracy has become.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau refused to change how he campaigned in election 2019 just because he needed paramilitary-style protection from a death threat at a Thanksgiving weekend event.

Going green

Re: Catholics put climate on electoral hot seat (Sept. 26):

Greta Thunberg’s courageous defence of the environment at the United Nations will resound forever in human history.

 Tearfully, yet passionately, she described the apocalyptic horrors that await us — the consequences of humanity’s greed and obsession with material gain. She carried a message no one wanted to here: that we engineered our own destruction. 

Humans are masters of using causes to hide from God’s commandments and expectations. In Genesis 1:28, He bade us to “fill the Earth and subdue it.” Instead, we eradicated whole species and polluted ecosystems. 

Jesus reminds us that the Earth will “pass away” after the Apocalypse and Judgment. The Church’s adopting green projects does not contradict God’s commandments — it is our duty. This is the only reason God placed us here.    

Christopher Mansour,

Barrie, Ont.

More engagement

Andrew Scheer would cut Canada’s international assistance by 25 per cent. But cutting funds for disaster relief, food assistance or international security would have serious consequences for some of the world’s most vulnerable.

We should increase Canadian aid, not make drastic cuts to it. Both Liberal and Conservative governments have let our share of international aid dwindle to only 0.28 per cent of our gross national income, well below our United Nations commitment of 0.7 per cent and well below our fair share. 

To truly reflect Canadian values, we need to engage more in the world, not less. Government should help improve our lives, but not at the expense of failing to help others. We can, and should, do both.

Therese Jelinski,

Saskatoon, Sask.

Vote for ethics

A major prerequisite for any party seeking to be elected is that it be ethical. After all, if you are not ethical, then exactly what are you? 

A Nanos poll conducted in June 2019 showed that 73 per cent of Canadians said ethics in government will influence their vote Oct. 21 and that ethics stood head and shoulders above the economy, the environment and trade with the United States. 

That survey is consistent with the expectation that Canadians will always choose truth, ethics and honesty over power, traits for which Canada is recognized even internationally. 

It is difficult to believe that any government which has been proven beyond a doubt to have acted unethically could be rewarded with an election victory. 

Canadians should vote for whomever they want, but above all they should choose honesty over power because it is the right thing to do. 

Government needs to be a good role model for our children and our grandchildren.

Aldo Dolcetti,

Richmond Hill, Ont.

Stand and witness

Charles Lewis is totally right in stating that the federal election should include a “platform based on Judeo-Christian principles without apologizing for it.” Canada has a party doing just that — the Christian Heritage Party. But the sad reality is getting enough candidates and voters to support it. 

Christians/Catholics have taken faith for granted for far too long. What we are left with, more and more, is private prayer and worship. Political correctness now relegates faith to home and parish level. 

It will take a responsible and informed citizenry to change this. The question that remains is this: Are Christians in Canada willing to stand and witness what they believe in the public square?

Lou Iacobelli,

Toronto

All Canadians over the age of 18 enjoy the right to vote but, for Catholics, voting is also a duty.

There is a sense that protection is required when we step out into the unknown darkness of life, whether it be the darkness of suffering or of a lifestyle tinged with fear and regret. Traditionally the Church has called upon the angelic hosts for such protection. 

As we near the end of the election campaign, many comments on social media remind me of something Mark Twain wrote 112 years ago: “I am quite sure now that often, very often, in matters concerning religion and politics a man’s reasoning powers are not above the monkey’s.”

To characterize our adult son as a film fanatic might fall short of the mark.

Pope Francis reminded the newest cardinals that the “readiness of a cardinal to shed his own blood (is) signified by the scarlet colour of your robes.” For one of them it was not a reminder but a memory.