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August 2002
Letters
Agenda behind Catholic scandal coverage
Fr. Neuhaus's piece ("The Catholic scandal," June) was a bull's eye. He pointed out that there is in the media a hysteria about the few cases of alleged abuse by priests and the inaction of certain decision-makers. I am an evangelical Christian and remember the same situation in Canada occurring a few years ago. Like every other Christian conservative, I was slow to see the media's true agenda over top a fair-coverage problem.
As Fr. Neuhaus said, of course it's only a few bad people, so is the zeal of the press innocent and proportional? No, of course not. Then can we question the elite media's motives? Yes. In the same Interim issue, Paul Tuns and Frank Kennedy insisted the media acts on its bias and agendas. I know what the press (the elite and the herd) is up to. Tell me if I'm wrong.
As Fr. Neuhaus pointed out, celibacy is touted as the problem. Why is the media so interested in overturning celibacy? To strengthen the Church? No. They simply know and believe Christianity (and thus Catholicism) influences society. The Church can and does influence a few or a lot of people's opinions on any big moral or social issue. I accuse the elite media of targeting these few abuse cases in order to force a change in priestly celibacy rules and, having overcome this, move on to abortion, sexuality, women priests etc. They fear the church and seek a break in the dam. The media may care about the few people hurt by the abuse, but they care more about great issues and their powerful opponents. The few people in the press who decide on the priority of issue coverage have agendas and strategies to make the world the way they want it. I insist the Catholic Church is a moral and social target, and the abuse scandals are the media's hope to change one certain doctrine in order to change other doctrines.
Robert Byer
Toronto, Ont.
Childbirth a medical necessity
In what appears to be an attempt at rhetorical sarcasm, pro-abortionist Joyce Arthur asks whether childbirth is medically necessary ("Abortions medically necessary?", July). The answer is yes. Childbirth is medically necessary for the child. After nine months, the child must exit the mother's womb in order to continue the life he or she began at the moment of conception. Did Ms. Arthur not know this? Pity. Her ignorance might undermine "the reputation" of the pro-abortion movement, just as King Herod's paranoia somewhat sullied his otherwise good name.
Lisa Anglin
Toronto, Ont.
The rights of doctors
I read in the April Interim the article "Doctor raises ire of professional body" and feel compelled to respond. It is distressing to think that in this instance only one side of the issue has been sanctioned: that of the patient's rights to the birth control pill outside of marriage. According to the Charter of Rights both the doctor and the patient have a right to their beliefs and conscience. If the doctor's religious beliefs and his conscience do not allow him to prescribe under these conditions, then he is quite within his rights to refuse to prescribe. After all, this is not a life-threatening situation and the patient has every right to resort to the treatment of another physician.
Fortunately, we are evolving into a better understanding of medicine. Treatment of the patient is now understood to include not only the physical, but also mental, emotional and spiritual well-being, as they are inter-connected. If a physician truly believes that to prescribe the pill outside of marriage encourages situations that will likely result in emotional or spiritual damage then the physician is wise to withhold the pill. He should explain in a non-judgmental way that his conscience would not condone his taking a chance with her health.
William M. Perade
Toronto, Ont.
Abortionists like bears?
Ted Gerk's irony laced ("Dr. Merlot, call your office," April) column called abortion "grizzly." Come to think of it, beast and man do have something in common, they both savagely rip apart their prey. But in defence of the grizzly, he must kill to survive: whereas the strong, shared compulsion among grisly abortionists is their lust for blood-money.
Aileen M. Seville
Burlington, Ont.
Liberals reap what they sow
The Seventh Commandment tell us not to steal. Yet Jean Chretien promotes high taxation policies that needlessly cause suffering to many, then squanders the money received. Our Catholic Liberal MPs join in the squandering. The Eighth Commandment tells us not to bear false witness against our neighbors. Yet Chretien bears false witness regularly against anyone who opposes him. Opposition politicians often bear the brunt of false accusations of racism, bigotry and other evils. Catholic Liberal MPs gleefully join in the false witness. The Ninth Commandment tells us not to covet our neighbour's wife. Yet his government promotes easy divorce and, through control of the media, unbridled lust and immortality. Silence once again from our Catholic Liberal MPs. The 10th Commandment tells us not to covet our neighbour's goods. Chretien supports covetousness with taxation policies and unjustly applied regional distribution of revenue. Again silence from our Catholic Liberal MPs. Our Liberal Catholic politicians know well what they have allowed and continue to support. Yet they do it anyway. They might like to remember the words of Our Lord in Matthew 18:7 "Woe to the world because of scandals. For it must needs be that scandals come: but nevertheless woe to that man by whom the scandal cometh."
Patrick Redmond
Markham, Ont.
A reality check
I was on cloud nine. Besides achieving a personal best at the North American Biathlon Championship in Val Cartioer, Que., I also got to do lots of sight seeing with the team. First a drive from Ottawa to Quebec City, then a morning in Old Quebec City, and last, but not least, a short tour of Parliament Hill before we left to catch our plane back to Saskatoon. During this whirlwind tour, I was awed and impressed. The stateliness of the marble and gold, and of majestic buildings made me swell up with pride. From the top of the Peace Tower, I saw Parliament buildings and Canadian flags in every direction. I don't think I have ever felt so patriotic. On through the Senate foyer we went, and saw the magnificent portraits of many royals and past prime ministers, not to mention the stained-glass ceiling, with many colourful coats of arms. Running down the front steps of the House of Commons to catch our plane, I was feeling pretty satisfied with my nation. Then a lone protester caught my eye. Now, I had seen plenty of protesters in Ottawa, but this one was alone, and there was a sign beside him stating, "Contraception is Corrupting Society." My first thought was: "He's definitely Catholic!" There were two other signs, one carrying a pro-life message, and the other carrying a pro-heterosexual message. I gathered up the courage to go to him and thank him for protesting. It was a short exchange. When I returned home, I learned from friends that this lone courageous protester was Father Tony Van Hee, and my friend found his address through The Interim newspaper. I wrote him a letter expressing my gratitude for representing me, and the many other Canadians who believe in the cause of life.
Talk about a reality check. I'd forgotten for a moment that my own nation prevents the conception of children, kills her children in the womb, and encourages homosexuals to live in a state that is only hurting them, both mentally and spiritually. Through this reality check, I began to think seriously about what I should be doing for the cause of life as a young Catholic Canadian. As we young Catholic Canadians prepare for World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto, perhaps we should take some notes from one of the World Youth Day patrons: Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Blessed Pier loved his native Italy, and because he loved Italy, he attended and helped organize huge youth rallies to stand against the Italian dictator Mussolini. I can still love my native Canada; however, I can and must get actively involved in the pro-life cause wherever possible. Joining pro-life groups, going to pro-life walks, rallies, and conferences (or organize your own!), or writing letters to your MPs are many ways that Young Catholic Christians can be involved.
All this food for thought came to me just because I ran into Father Van Hee on Parliament Hill. It is amazing what even one protester can do. Thank you so much, Father Tony.
Robin Anderson
NorthBattleford,
Sask.
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