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Truth exposed

We take pride in our belief that we are a welcoming and inclusive society. If we examine our language deeper we are faced with the truth that we are not. We were not welcoming or inclusive to the people who are here already before we arrived. The phrase “we are a nation of immigrants” exposes the exclusion of the Indigenous people. The phrase summarized why we are in this tender spot. Their being out of our consciousness resulted in their being out of our society.

What’s next?

The audacity and arrogance of our federal government never ceases to amaze and alarm me. While the government feeds us a consistent rhetoric of care and concern, they are gradually taking away our freedoms. The agenda includes using our tax dollars to support/promote abortion and in many other countries in the world. It is also doing his best to silence the pro-life voice.

Cost saving

Re: Short visit works best (Fr. Raymond de Souza, Nov. 7):

Fr. de Souza is fearful that the costs associated with a reconciliation-oriented papal visit to Canada will divert funds from Catholic-sponsored reconciliation projects. He asserts that the papal visit should be short, structured and shaped by the fiscal priority that “the only solution is not to spend a dime more than necessary.”

Glaring omission

I am glad to know from the news that Pope Francis is coming to Canada as recommended by the TRC. That surely will soothe the emotional and psychological wounds of the Indigenous peoples. However, it is God who heals our brokenness, especially our spiritual wounds.

Helpful solution

The Archdiocese of Toronto recently announced that, as of Oct. 8, it requires “all employees,” including priests, lay ministers and parish volunteers, at “the workplace, be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or provide regular proof of … negative COVID-19 test results.” Essentially it has mandated vaccination but also offered an alternative.

Healing path

Re: Money will be raised, but how to spend it? (Fr. Raymond J. de Souza, Oct. 10):

Contrition needed

I wondered why the Indigenous peoples had a lukewarm response to the Canadian bishops’ apology. Could the reason be that it was termed an “apology”? 

Incomplete apology

We can be grateful that the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has finally issued an apology for the Church’s role in residential schools.

Great deception

Re: Digging deep into ‘The Warning’ signs (Sr. Helena Burns, Sept. 19):

Secular observers note that the “present time” is experiencing “signs” of apocalyptic proportions: plague, pestilence, fire, flood, military defeat and economic turmoil. For Catholics these signs are augmented by distress over the scandal of the residential schools, the extension of MAiD and the juggernaut of the continuing sexual revolution.

Act of love

Re: Best, worst of times for abortion debate (Peter Stockland, Sept. 12):

Mr. Stockland’s observations are, as usual, insightful, thoughtful and poignant. I am however perplexed by his concluding paragraph. While I acknowledge that the Church discerns that vaccination is “a matter of individual conscience,” also note that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith dismisses the objections some individual Christians have regarding the morality of using some of the COVID-19 vaccines. More recently, Pope Francis has stated: “Being vaccinated with vaccines authorized by the competent authorities is an act of love. And contributing to ensure the majority of people are vaccinated is an act of love.”