Clever politician
Barack Obama has done it again. By his words, not by his deeds, U.S. President Obama managed again to electrify a mass of people at Notre Dame and have them believe in his words.Obama led the pro-choicer’s to believe that they were concerned and charitable members by giving them a picture of a stressful pregnant woman who had to make the difficult decision to destroy the life in her womb.
Then he gave doubts to the pro-life group by suggesting to use greater dialogue and work on common ground to gain understanding of the facts of the “hard, wrenching decision for any woman to make, with both spiritual and moral dimensions.” There was no mention that most abortions are only made for convenience.
Let us not forget, Obama is a very clever politician who knows how to use his charm and speaking ability to manipulate a crowd towards his way of thinking.
We all would like to see a decline in abortion, but how to go about it remains the question.
Marie Jalsevac
Collingwood, Ont.
Social mission
Congratulations to the students of Fr. Bressani Catholic school in Woodbridge, Ont., for 20 years of good work serving St Francis’ Table. It is great to know that young people of five Toronto-area schools commit to helping at St. Francis’ Table.
The principal of Fr. Bressani is quoted as saying, “As a Catholic school we want to show some service to the community.”
I hope the students are also being helped to understand that their volunteering at St. Francis’ Table is also an important expression of their Catholic faith. By being involved in the church’s social mission, of which it seems to me we don’t hear so much about these days, they are doing what Jesus said: “Whatever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me.... when I was hungry you gave me to eat.”
I hope these young people will continue their faith commitment to social justice into their adult life.
Marg Bacon
Toronto, Ont.
Help Sr. Sophie
Thank you for the article on Sr. Sophie’s orphanage in Bethlehem (“Sr. Sophie makes sure there is room at the inn,” May 31). Twice in the last two years I have had the privilege of visiting Sr. Sophie and the children and have been very impressed with the way in which she manages to care for these little ones with such limited resources. The Catholic population in Bethlehem is decreasing, so Sr. Sophie must rely on visitors to take up the cause and contribute to the care of these little children of God. The orphanage and the work of Sr. Sophie really sum up Christ’s message to look after the least.
A registered charitable foundation has been established in Canada to accept donations for the orphanage. Cheques payable to Futures for Children may be sent to Futures for Children, 31 Northampton Dr., Etobicoke, ON, M9B 4S5. A tax receipt will be issued.
Lynda Clayton
Markham, Ont.
Read it first hand
You published in the May 24 edition a letter from Terry O’Sullivan accusing critics of Development and Peace of McCarthyism and guilt by association for claiming D&P supported Mexican organizations which promoted abortion.
When those organizations were first identified I wanted to see for myself what the problems were, so I looked at their web sites. The second page I happened to click on was an essay by an American woman bemoaning the fact that poor Mexican women didn’t have access to contraceptives and, unlike Americans, couldn’t buy the abortifacient pill.
The Mexican web sites are not second hand information. So it is hardly guilt by association to conclude from such public documents that D&P is using our money to support causes contrary to church teaching. Perhaps Mr. O’Sullivan doesn’t have access to the internet, but if he does I recommend he read what these Mexican organizations are promoting, of which I have quoted but one example.
Robert J. Gallivan
Thornhill, Ont.