The Catholic Register - Readers Speak Out

Written by Catholic Register Readers,

Move ahead

In the Oct. 28 Catholic Register, I was pleased to read some suggestions on how to bring Catholics back to church from Reginald Bibby and Bishop Claude Champagne. While not criticizing our church, as a cradle Catholic going back generations, I would like to make some suggestions to help bring back alienated Catholics to fill our pews.

The Catholic Church should be more flexible and understanding by moving with the changing times. And by remembering the lesson in the parable of the prodigal son, particularly in the area of annulments and divorces, where those unfortunately falling into these circumstances are still very good Christian people and anxious to be welcomed back into the church.

Where the marriage is already asunder for various reasons, annulments should be made less expensive and humiliating, and the hierarchy should be authorized to grant annulments after three years of irreconcilable separation.

Regarding marriage in the Catholic Church, why is it necessary for baptized and confirmed Catholics to be forced to attend preparation courses for 12 months? Recently our grandson, who wanted to marry in the Catholic Church with a Catholic priest, was refused this ceremony and had to opt for another non-Catholic religious minister to join him with his Christian wife.

The above changes can be made without the church losing any of its core doctrinal values or reverence.

Christopher Hunt
Toronto, Ont.

Regain Carter’s vision

In the Nov. 4 issue, Bernard Daly reflects on the history of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace. He refers to the resistance he encountered when dealing with budgetary largesse and his push for economic and social change. His personal reference to the late Cardinal Gerald Emmett Carter was both unnecessary and unfair — but not surprising.

Before the controversial Economic Statement of 1983 was issued, Cardinal Carter did outstanding work in building bridges between labour and business. He had great insight into what contribution each could make to our mixed economy, creating wealth for social programs, housing, education, job creation — all helping to provide for a caring society while retaining a high level of freedom.

But rather than build on this foundation, in a statement issued by the Social Affairs Commission of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, they opted instead for the quasi-communist vision of their consultant. Henceforth, all union activity has been sanctified and business activity vilified at worst, or ignored at best. It is a policy that has worked hard to polarize the two and needs to be changed if it is going to be credible.

The present composition of the Social Affairs Commission and Development and Peace needs to be changed to accommodate an even representation of persons with some trace of appreciation of the potential benefits business can offer to the poor. People experienced in meeting a payroll, people who can instruct on starting a new business and the self-discipline leading to self-sufficiency, and people who can impress on our youth that not everyone can sit in the wagon, somebody has to pull it.

Frank Corcoran
Toronto, Ont.

Good example

Cardinal Marc Ouellet’s request for forgiveness for the past sins of the church in Quebec (Dec. 9 editorial, “What he didn’t say”) is an act of faith and courage worthy of imitation by the church universal. To embrace one’s shadow side so resolutely is a sign of great spiritual maturity in him.

The church has sinned. It has imposed throughout history with very few apologies. It is to be hoped that this gesture is accompanied by a change in behaviour so that the church’s credibility may be won back among those who have lost faith in her. In that humility, she may draw others to the truth she proclaims.

Philip Schmidt
Toronto, Ont.

Recommend this article...