WCR Letters to the Editor

World March needed more grassroots input

I am not convinced that we have enough knowledge of what all is contained in the demands. What is the Tobin Tax? What is this call for a "non-monolithic world political organization with equal representation of men and women?"

What of the statement that the UN bring "extraordinary" pressures to bear on countries that don't ratify, "without reservation," (there go our reservations!) the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (this group at present is advocating legalization of prostitution, elimination of Mother's Day, lesbian rights and abortion rights.), the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as six other conventions and declarations.

If the CCCB wants us to support these demands, there should have been study groups on the go for at least as long as Development and Peace has been involved - three years. To spring these issues on us and expect us to just "follow the leaders" is not right. Even the individual bishops are probably not informed about the contents of all these conventions we are asked to support.

How long ago were the bishops made aware of this World March? I just heard about it for the first time in February and I tend to be a person who keeps current about what is going on. Why wasn't it brought up at our regional D&P meeting this spring?

(At the B.C. & Yukon provincial Development and Peace annual general meeting, a motion was passed that D&P disclaim all sections of the march not in keeping with the magisterium of the Catholic Church. Grassroots members of D&P and the CWL are concerned about what we are signing on to.)

The title of Bishop Henry's article would have been better if it read "Support for grassroots campaign does not imply support for abortion and gay rights." Too often the demand for gay rights that is very much a part of this World March has not been specifically and obviously disclaimed. We can thank Henry for including this issue in his article.

In our diocese the Catholic Women's League, at its April diocesan convention, passed a motion to ask the national executive of the CWL to put in an official disclaimer about any part of the World March that is not in keeping with the faith and morals of the magisterium of the Catholic Church.

Until this is done, the parish presidents have been requested by the community life convener, not to participate in the march.

Jumping on to bandwagons without taking time to do proper research and discernment is irresponsible. Jubilee year actions deserve better.

Barbara Gobbi
Community Life Convener
CWL Prince George Diocesan Council
Prince George, B.C.

Lay ministry offers more than a band aid

A letter to the editor is not the place to elaborate a Vatican II and post-conciliar theology of the laity, but it is necessary to remember this positive context out of which the ongoing thrust towards lay ministry occurred.

Otherwise one easily falls prey to the notion emphasized in your article: that lay ministry is basically a short-term band aid response to the shortage of priests.

The reality is that many educated and conscientious Canadian Catholics, inspired by Vatican II texts and looking forward to their fuller implementation, have rejoiced at this expanded view of ministry. They see the new ministries as more encompassing of their own life experiences, as men and women and as people living in families.

This is not a penicillin to be taken until the toxin of clergy-shortage is flushed out - it is an exuberant outflow of new life.

The bishops of western and northern Canada, most of whom attended our February symposium on this program, affirmed the desirability of increased lay ministry and better educational opportunities for laity. Participants attested to the positive benefits of such a unique dialogue among bishops, clergy and laity, building cooperation rather than competition in ministry.

Apart from the priest shortage, the other main focus of the article was the amount of the grant received by Lilly Endowment for this program in which at least 13 dioceses have now registered for participation.

In considering such a large amount it is important to note that the total costs for each student in the program are around $35,000, which means that over 80 per cent of the grant will go directly to fund the 17 students coming in September from across western and northern Canada.

Thank you for allowing us to clarify at least these points as we embark on this exciting new venture of making a Newman master of divinity degree much more accessible than ever.

Adela Torchia
Director
Lay Pastoral Leadership Program
Newman Theological College
Edmonton

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