When I started my theological studies in the late 1960s, there were only two lay women in Toronto with whom I could identify. One was Janet. She was a graduate of St. Joseph’s College as was I. She also came from a Catholic family that was devoted to the Church.
Janet was one of the trusted ones who had learned social Catholicism from her father. Justice making was central to her being.
Everything has changed now. Lay theologians abound. But Janet Somerville was a role model for me of Christian faith but also of orthopraxis.
Linda Arbour,
Toronto
A call for action
Re: “Being pro-life for all life” (April 28):
This article tugs at my heartstrings for all the wrong reasons. Pro-lifers already value the lives of children over the lives of pets. I see no reason for the writer to heap guilt upon Catholics. We are doing our part to ensure the dignity and well-being of persons from conception to natural death.
The shocking “logic” of the abortion-celebrating crowd is stunning. “Some kids are unwanted... kill ’em now (by abortion) or kill ’em later (in the electric chair),” said Democratic state representative John Rogers while arguing against limiting abortion in Alabama.
What can we say to Roberts, or even Justin Trudeau, about the dignity of the human person at all stages of life? Can we win the debate by doing more “good works” when the anti-lifer’s thinking process is so deranged? No, we need prayer, penance and political action.
Helen Kay,
Belleville, Ont.
Contradictions
Re: A good ol’ shootout at the NRA coral (May 5):
I agree with most of Bob Brehl’s article on gun control, but why does he need to poke a righteous finger at the contradictions of Donald Trump supporters?
“On one hand, Trump rolls back abortions, but on the other hand he ignores human rights.” Does he not see his own contradictions?
Why do Democrats say they support human rights, yet support abortion with no limits? More humans die through abortion (millions) in the U.S. than by guns.
It is this elitist mentality that prevents people from seeing their own contradictions.
Deacon George Jurenas,
Streetsville, Ont.
Lay participation
The impugning by Pope Benedict XVI of the 1960s sexual revolution as the prime cause of the abuse crisis reminded me of the Genesis story of Adam blaming Eve and the latter blaming the serpent. Sexual temptation and impropriety is part of human nature.
Paedophiles suffer from an abnormal sexual attraction which made the priesthood an attractive vocation because of the sacred trust proffered to those called and the opportunities that made the abuse possible. But what made the abuse scandal so horrendous was the refusal of the Church hierarchy to acknowledge the abuse.
The Catholic Church has to be honest and admit that many now accused of the abuse and cover-up were appointees of John Paul II, who unfortunately brought his experience of life under the communist regime in Poland to influence his papacy.
I propose a far great participation of the laity in the oversight of all parish activity which was proposed by Vatican II but, unfortunately, ignored by Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
J.E. Sequeira,
Pointe Claire, Que.