To the Editor: 

The reason I am writing is because you have spoken on the subject of abortion and the need to protect the unborn child.

The story is that my wife and I had been trying to have children for over 16 years since our marriage in 1980. We were unsuccessful in doing so, until 1997, when my wife became pregnant for the first time. However, after only two months of pregnancy, it all ended in a miscarriage, and the soul of the unborn child went home to be with the Lord. 

Despite years of trouble, it was as if God had temporarily opened the womb for us to give Him at least one human life, and then it "closed" once again. 

In the meantime, however, we did have the opportunity to observe the preborn child. Despite its tiny size, it had all the earmarks of a human being. 

I consider all life from the moment of conception to be fully human, and not some mindless piece of protoplasm. 

Infertility, which is how all of this occurred, is a problem experienced by up to 15 per cent of married couples. To see life needlessly slaughtered by abortion seems so unjust, when others would gladly adopt. 

The fact is, a couple cannot take fertility for granted. It can be here today, gone tomorrow, and any dreams you have about a family will be gone forever. 

Bob Wierdsma, 
Peterborough, ON 
  

Shining example 

To the Editor: 

I read in your November issue the essay by Jacquie Nivet about chastity. Her honesty, simple straightforwardness and advice regarding moral problems in youth impressed me more than anything else I have read in your newspaper. Jacquie has a bright future. 

I ask the Holy Spirit to guide youth and the Blessed Virgin to appear somewhere near. I now believe they have sent us a shining example in Jacquie and other young people. I thank God for them. 

Mildred Cusack, 
Owen Sound, ON 
  

Fine role model 

To the Editor: 

Jacquie Nivet's article in the November Interim was most inspirational. Jacquie is certainly a good role model for other young people. 

Teenagers should try to do things that make them feel good about themselves and that will make them happier individuals. 

Keep up the great work in future articles. 

Bill O'Brien, 
Toronto, ON 
  

Community effort 

To the Editor: 

Many thanks to The Interim for the report on the Celebration of Life Sunday at St. Bonaventure's parish (December issue). 

I was happy to be quoted as encouraging other parishes to consider holding such an event. But the fact that the article quotes only me as an organizer of the event may have given a mistaken impression to some readers. In fact, the event was an initiative of the Wednesday Night Small Christian Community in the parish, headed by Don McRae, and 11 members of the group made their contribution. 

The event was also fully supported by the pastor, Father David Collins, his associate, Father Boniface Reinhart, Friar David Suckling and Deacon Sal Badali. 

Elmar J. Kremer 
Don Mills, ON 
  

Books over TV 

To the Editor: 

I managed to get a hold of a copy of a recent issue of The Interim. It contained articles on boycotts of offensive TV shows such as Ellen and various programs and films produced by the Disney Corporation. 

If no one paid so much attention to the new programming in the entertainment industry, it wouldn't be necessary to boycott any organization. Does no one read anymore? 

Alex Hunter, 
Paisley, ON 
  

All life precious 

To the Editor: 

I would like to comment on the letter to the editor by Stephen Sutherland in a recent Interim, about a woman's right to choose abortion. 

Being involved in the pro-life movement, we hear the same types of comments from individuals. My reply to them is that men and women have the right to do as they want, but we shouldn't change age-old law to suit present trends. 

Whether one is pro-life or not, every person has the right to help save a life, and not to do so is wrong. Every person has the right to be saved in and out of the womb. God help those who do not try to help the unborn, the sick, the dying and anyone else in need. 

One baby saved is worth all worldly possessions. 

Gerry Ouellette 
Sault Ste. Marie, ON 
  

Consumers and lives 

To the Editor: 

As we all know, the Planned Parenthood organization is about population control. If, as they claim, population were allowed to grow unchecked, we would not have enough foodstuffs to feed an overpopulated world. 

Since PP and the United Nations are the main proponents of the population control argument, maybe they could explain the fact that agricultural over-production has already led to disastrously low prices paid to farmers. Would not a higher population balance this equation? 

PP believes that a smaller population will lead to a better life for those allowed to be born. With an aging population and controlled growth, how can we meet economists' objective of providing more consumers for more goods and services? 

Population controllers promote programs which advocate a smaller population, while we have economists promoting more production in order to reduce the cost of goods. Which group is a person to follow? Where is the leadership? 

Donald Lunny, 
Scarborough, ON 
  

Heed public opinion 

To the Editor: 

The December issue of The Interim featured an excellent article by Candace C. Crandall showing pro-abortion reversals. 

Among her many arguments is the point that the majority of Americans are personally opposed to abortion, but tolerate it in others. 

This is not true. A slight majority opposes almost all abortions. A great majority opposes abortion being made legal in certain conditions. A minority accepts abortion being legal for some categories, and a tiny percentage wants no law whatsoever -- or abortion on demand. 

This last group has its way in North America. No one wants to beat a dead horse, but abortion and public opinion is a horse that is very much alive and kicking. 

Robert Byers, 
Etobicoke, ON 
  

Bargain with God 

To the Editor: 

I receive The Interim each month. I live in a seniors' building and like to leave my copy of the newspaper in the lounge after I have read it, so others can enjoy the contents. I know it keeps me informed and this is the reason I receive it each month. 

 I thoroughly enjoyed the November issue until I came to page 19 and read the personal prayers (paid for by Interim readers). As a Christian Protestant, I am offended by the suggestion that we can bargain with our Lord (e.g. by repeating a prayer a number of times, one's intentions will be answered). This type of bargaining smacks of ungodly superstition. 

Kathleen Holden, 
Caledon Village, ON 
 

Sign and symbol 

To the Editor: 

Respect for life is not only the fight against abortion, but also the fight against ourselves; to value each life for its real, but sometimes invisible, contribution. 

"Little Audrey," a paralyzed teenager in Worchester, Mass. through whom extraordinary graces are being given to thousands of people, is a case in point. 

Humanly speaking, her life appears worthless. Spiritually, in the order of divine grace, she is one of God's very great gifts to the world in our generation. 

Another gift of God is prophecy. Garabandal (scene of a Marian apparition in Spain in the 1960s), is relevant to the pro-life movement. It was there that the Virgin Mary announced a warning about what the sin of abortion will do to millions of people who promote abortion, or do nothing to defend innocent life. 

Today we are geared up to fight abortion -- and we are taking abuse for it. But those who heed the warning will know that our opponents will soon be seeking divine mercy and forgiveness. It may be up to pro-life people to minister to these people who have not heeded the warning. 

Life is life, after all, and pro-life means pro-life. If babies are at the top of the agenda today, it is because God put them at the top. We cannot stop being pro-life in the event God rearranges the agenda. 

Paul Dickson, 
Rexton, NB 
 

Saving a soul 

To the Editor: 

Your newspaper seems to be quite consistent in defending Christian faith and in respecting all traditions. 

I am a general physician at a maternity hospital near Havana, Cuba. I was giving primary care to a woman who was about to deliver her baby, when a workmate came and told me, "Come and see. A woman aborted a fetus and it's in our room." I followed her and the spectacle I saw was dreadful. I saw a urinal on the floor, and inside it, a seven-month-old fetus floating in a mixture of blood and water. The fetus was well formed, but the mother decided to abort because the doctor diagnosed, by ultrasound, the presence of hydrocephalia.  

I looked on wondering: where is the dignity of this little human being? Then something left me almost paralyzed ... The baby boy began to move his arms. I whispered, "But he is alive," and the doctor answered, "Yes, but he will die soon." 

The doctor left me alone in the room and I decided I would baptize the child. I went to the sink, took some water and asked God to bless the child. 

When I finished, peace returned to my soul. I continued to pray, asking God for forgiveness for the mother, and for my own sins. 

Minutes later, the baby stopped moving and was taken to the crematory.

Please continue praying for the unborn, and for those who practise and promote abortion. 

Dr. Emilio Alvarez, 
Holguin, Cuba 

The Interim welcomes letters and submissions. Both may be subject to editing. Please send to interim@lifesite.net