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Written by Catholic Register Readers
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Friday, 12 October 2007 |
God’s word in song
In the Sept. 16 edition of The Catholic Register, there was an article putting down Christian music (please see
Christian music predictable). Chris Tomlin is one of the best praise and worship artists, yet Jennifer Harris said that his lyrics are too repetitive and boring. At Catholic Christian Outreach we sing Tomlin’s song called “Your Grace is Enough” and it’s one of our favourites. I’ve seen the Holy Spirit work through Tomlin’s songs in changing people’s hearts. Praise music is not always meant to be creative and original; it’s supposed to glorify God. Writing praise songs based on the psalms is not proving a lack of originality; it’s putting God’s Word in art.
Jennifer Harris also compared Manafest to Eminem and this makes me wonder if she’s ever listened to either one of these artists because Manafest and Eminem sound nothing alike.
Christian artists are witnesses to the world, offering hope. You just don’t get that Christian support when you listen to secular music. You won’t find a secular artist giving his or her testimony on stage.
Am I hiding from the world when I listen to my Christian CDs? Absolutely not. I’m surrounded by secular music when I work, when I talk with friends and family, go to the store, etc., I’m aware of secular bands with positive messages, but I just can’t praise God when listening to Nickelback.
Sarah Du Broy
Ottawa, Ont.
Dangers of MMP
I read with a smile Joe Mihevc’s vigourous defence of the proposed proportional representation (or MMP) system that voters had to decide upon in the Oct. 10 Ontario election. One would be hard pressed to find a more sopping example of political rhetoric than that lively little piece.
In “The pros and cons of a proportional vote” Sept. 30, Mihevc takes the tried and true approach of associating the MMP system with “individual freedoms, collective rights, tolerance” and “inclusion,” popular words these days indeed, thereby suggesting the the current system of choosing our candidates is a violation of all of these fine ideals. He makes the point that “fear mongering” about the special interest groups that would certainly benefit from the proposed MMP system “flied in the face” of democracy and “the Catholic notion of the common good.” Not a bad bit of marketing to toss that last little piece into a Catholic newspaper.
I believe that the proposed MMP system does not serve the Ontario electoral system well at all, and does even less for the value system of the Catholic Church. By assisting those fringe parties like the NDP and the Greens in adding candidates that they never could possibly have added otherwise to the legislature, we can be sure that the insidious attack on the rights of Catholics will continue unabated. The MMP system will simply open that door a little wider.
Mario Loreto
Toronto, Ont.
Praying for Ncube
I read with dismay your recent articles regarding Zimbabwe’s Archbishop Pius Ncube. Initially it was stated that Ncube had been (undoubtedly wrongly) accused, and then that Pope Benedict had accepted his resignation, which Archbishop Ncube tendered to spare the church any further attacks from his country’s despotic leader, Robert Mugabe.
Anyone who wants to know what has really been ongoing in Zimbabwe for decades need only read Peter Godwin’s riveting memoir, When a Crocodile Eats the Sun. Mugabe is a maniacal dictator who has been decimating his country and its citizens with impunity, acting however he likes to ensure blind obedience to himself and his ruling party. What Mugabe has done to Zimbabweans, to both the white minority and the black majority, is reminiscent of the likes of Khaddafi, Amin, Hussein, Stalin and their ilk.
Who in their right mind could possibly believe an accusation from Mugabe, or any of his henchmen? The fact that Archbishop Ncube felt that he needed to resign over this tactic is extremely disheartening. Could his resignation mean that this criminal leader is unstoppable in the face of reasonable opposition and criticism? They say that all that is needed for injustice to continue is for those who see the need for change to remain silent. Why aren’t the powers that be in the Catholic Church supporting the archbishop?
Only time will tell. There is some consolation in the fact that Ncube “will remain a Catholic bishop in Zimbabwe and will continue to speak out on the issues that sadly become more acute by the day.” They need him. Badly. And the Catholic Church continues to need strong leadership that does not shy away from denouncement of crimes against humanity, regardless of the risk of retaliation. I keep Archbishop Ncube, and all those who strive to restore social justice to Zimbabwe, in my prayers.
Diana Kastelic
Toronto, Ont.
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