There was no need to worry. The Father would send the Comforter in the Son’s name. At Pentecost, the Paraclete manifests as rushing wind and tongues of fire, symbols of exuberance and power. Peter, a timid and inarticulate man, is suddenly filled with fervour and eloquence. He finds his voice and it is enduring. His audience from around the world heard him in their native tongues and were amazed. Not his words but the Word itself penetrated their hearts.

The channels to salvation were clogged by sin. The Holy Spirit is the conduit that opens the pathways to divine bliss.

Michael Dias

Markham, Ont.

Profane Pelosi

It is a bitter sorrow for Salvatore Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco, to be forced by the integrity of his office to deny Holy Communion to politician Nancy Pelosi. No priest would relish such a duty.

However, his action is meant to end scandal and protect the Sacrament of Love from profanation. He also aims to help Pelosi recover the fullness of her humanity, which is compromised by a public record of promoting abortion while claiming to be a member of the Catholic Church in good standing.

Lise Anglin

Toronto

All for Zen

For Michael Swan to suggest in his May 18 column on Cardinal Zen that the Chinese government was “correct in arresting the Cardinal” for any reason is truly egregious.

Swan makes no mention of increased persecution of Catholics in China: demolition of churches, burning of Bibles and faithful priests going into hiding, banning all young people from attending church under any circumstances.

There have been no fruits from the secret deal the Vatican made with the Chinese Communist Government, only more persecution of the faithful. All this is exactly as Cardinal Zen predicted. He should he lauded as a truly heroic follower of Christ, and true shepherd of his flock.

Chris Jacques-Carr

Pickering, Ont. 

Rolheiser rumination

Questions arise about Fr. Ron Rolheiser’s statement: “All of us believers (can) come together beyond the divisions created by history, dogma, denomination and religion” in an “ecumenical and interreligious pursuit of spirituality.” 

Is the goal in keeping with the Biblical purposes of the Word of God becoming flesh? Did Jesus engage in ecumenism? Are we still supposed to seek a common ground with other world religions to worship together knowing Jesus tells us He is the way?

If the answers to these questions are yes, then I withdraw my questions. To find “common ground and worship together” in spirituality is a lack of solid faith. This amounts to a repudiation of Christ since Christ is The Way.  

Rufino Ty

Brampton, Ont.