The Catholic Register - Readers Speak Out

A source of trouble

Without taking away anything from the praise of Loretto Abbey and its Sisters (“Thanks to Lorettos,” Readers Speak Out, July 8-15), I would like to explain why Catholic private schools are necessary in many areas.

The main reason is the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association executive and those who voted these people in. Although I do not know any of them personally, I do know that their agenda for many years has contained anti-Catholic teaching. An OECTA vote for homosexuality was only defeated because time ran out at the annual meeting where the resolution was presented. It took the part of Marc Hall in 2002 when he challenged the Durham Catholic school board’s decision to deny his “right” to bring his same-sex partner to the prom. Besides OECTA’s support for the gay lifestyle, it invited prominent dissenters to speak at its conventions. It has joined with a labour union whose dues go to promote abortion and the gay lobby. It encourages its members to vote NDP, notorious for its pro-abortion, pro-gay platform. These are only a few examples among many.

Because of OECTA’s anti-Catholic policies, and its influence over our teachers, neither our teachers nor our students are being taught the great and beautiful truths of our faith. Therefore, parents in desperation turn to private schools. If we want to keep our Catholic schools “public,” we must make sure that our faith is known, loved and practised by all involved in Catholic education.

James Armaly
La Salle, Ont.

Not giving up

You may have heard that St. Brigid’s Church in Lowertown in Ottawa sold recently to members of the Irish Society for $450,000.

As you know, parishioners have been unhappy about the proposed closing of their church. Some are distraught over the hallowed ground being turned into a community centre, a place of Irish jigs, plays and cheap entertainment. They wonder why such a valuable property, estimated at $6 million, was sold for a pittance.

Even though the deal seems done, many of the congregation are not going quietly into that dark night and they have been mounting a vigourous mobile protest.

Variously, twice a day, they are either at St. Brigid’s on Murray Street or they are at Notre Dame Basilica. In fact, they were there when Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, S.J., was introduced recently. The demonstrations are spearheaded by church member Bob Nye and include the services of a sign painter, various marchers and a car that is lettered on the trunk with “Save St. Brigid’s Brigade.”

As one sign on the hood of the car reads, “Our Church. Where He lives, Where the Community Live.” The believers do not believe that St. Brigid has abandoned them and they are not giving up.

Shannon Lee Mannion
Ottawa, Ont.

Lesson in tact needed

I am responding to the July 22 article, “Vatican clarified nature of “one, true church,” by John Thavis, who quotes the Vatican’s Doctrinal Congregation, led by U.S. Cardinal William J. Levada, and approved by the Pope.

Touching an ecumenical sore point by stating the Protestant communities should not properly be called “churches” has raised the ire of many of my Catholic friends (many of whom are converts) whose parents and other family members still are faithful members of a Protestant, Christian denomination. Webster’s Dictionary gives the modern, widely accepted definition of church as “a building for public Christian worship” and “a body or organization of religious believers.” Surely, definitions from 2,000 years ago are irrelevant in this day and age when there are so many more serious subjects of concern.

Rather than alienating some long-time Catholics and many new converts, perhaps the church hierarchy should take some lessons in diplomacy and tact.

Ray Hiller
Cobourg, Ont.

We face the east

In your recent article and photo spread on perhaps the most important papal document since Humanae Vitae, Summorum Pontificum, reference is made to the priest having his “back to the people” in the extraordinary form of the holy Mass.

This is an incorrect statement often made by the secular media and not worthy of this venerable Catholic publication. Further, the statement does not adequately define the theology of the “ad orientem” posture.

The priest and people face the same way, they face God on the altar. The priest is leading the people on a pilgrimage; together we look to the east from (literally or symbolically) whence will come the second coming of Christ as “lightning from the east to the west.”

Further, this posture more truly expresses that before the Mass is a “banquet” as when the priest faces the people, it is a “sacrifice.”

David Anthony Domet
Toronto, Ont.