WCR Letters to the Editor

Letter shows ignorance of Alta. francophone reality

As it has been said many times lately, Saint-Joachim was the only Catholic church in Edmonton for a long time. It was then normal that Mass be celebrated in more than one language.

Zyp's suggestion is very simplistic and shows a complete ignorance of the francophone reality and fragility, not only in Alberta, but everywhere else in Canada.

As he says, "St. Joachim's beauty is far superior to our unfortunately somber basilica." Because of that, the francophone minority should, as usual, endanger its homogeneity to please the majority.

His suggestion is typical of what the francophone minority had to endure for so long in all the institutions it established over the years and which it lost, from hospitals, to schools, to churches and parishes, to municipal governments, to school boards, and which resulted in a very high rate of assimilation of its communities.

Why should there be a Mass in English in Saint-Joachim when there are so many English churches in Edmonton? Why should it always be up to francophone parishes to become bilingual and not vice versa??

Bilingualism is a good thing, except when it applies to schools and churches. Then it becomes a very "civilized" and very efficient means to assimilate the minority. The rural communities in Alberta are good examples of this reality.

Finally, Zyp says that "nothing could be more Canadian and Catholic than a bilingual parish."

Since Canada is a bilingual country, my "modest" suggestion is that one Mass be celebrated in French in each English parish in Edmonton where there are francophone parishioners, for example, St. Joseph's Basilica and St. Andrew's.

If this seems ludicrous, so is Zyp's suggestion. What is also ludicrous is the way too many English-speaking people interpret the bilingual reality of our country.

Jocelyne Belanger
Edmonton

Life begins with fertilization

Contrary to what Dr. Barrie de Veber states in the article, the endometrium does not create life, the egg and sperm do this at the moment of fertilization.

The endometrium receives the life already begun, to protect and nourish it throughout the remaining pregnancy. This implantation takes place five to seven days after fertilization.

Not only is this a word game; the makers and promoters of such contraptions are preying on a multitude of vulnerable consciences which have already been miserably dulled by the relentless "sex industry."

A well-informed conscience knows that the very fact of consenting to taking these pills would already be a breach of the fifth commandment in the heart, regardless of whether or not conception would have occurred.

The intent is to destroy the potential result of the action, that is, life.

The culture of death has gripped our world in frightening ways. It is up to the ones who believe in life to take every possible step to help reverse this situation.

Publishing the truth about life's beginnings is one way to reach and influence people to respect and use the gift of sexuality only according to our Creator's purposes and laws.

Jeanne McCusker
Edmonton

Wary of mumbo-jumbo

It was indeed disturbing for a "traditional" person like myself.

Your reporter quoted Amelia Alves who spoke glowingly about Father Edward Foley's presentation. For the sake of balance, it would have been interesting to hear comments from those who reacted negatively.

It is interesting that even Father John Spicer found some of Foley's comments controversial.

I do not agree with Spicer that the community is already moving in the same direction. There may have been few negative reactions, but the lack of reaction from the majority could just as easily have been due to a stunned, confused state. This was certainly my response.

I have read the article numerous times and find Foley's mumbo-jumbo incomprehensible. My powers of discernment go into high gear when a speaker couches his message in terms that are so difficult to grasp.

Did no one have the same response as I? Be careful, brothers and sisters in Christ.

Marge Hansen
Ponoka

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