Last Updated:Friday - 09/24/2010

WCR Letters to the Editor

Lecture coverage questioned

How odd it is that Ramon Gonzalez in his article on Father Thomas O'Meara's Jordan Lecture Series actually has a sub-title which reads "Three lectures." It is odd since his article says nothing about the content of the three lectures.

For about four hours, Father O'Meara gave a balanced and thoughtful presentation of Christian ministry in the early Church (based mainly on St. Paul's letters), in subsequent history and in our contemporary Church situation. Not once during these three talks did Father O'Meara question or contradict the Church's teaching on ordained and non-ordained ministry.

The article by Mr. Gonzalez deals with Father O'Meara's response to the last question asked after the third talk, which took up about two minutes of the speaker's time.

The issue is not whether Father O'Meara said what he did concerning married priests and the ordination of women. He did. To say, however, that he "lashed out at the Vatican for banning discussion on the ordination of women" is simply not true. He did not "lash out," but expressed his disagreement calmly and with respect.

The real issue is this: instead of presenting the material of Father O'Meara's lectures in a way that would deepen readers' faith understanding, as well as promote fruitful dialogue and unity within the Church, Mr. Gonzalez opted for the facile and fashionable route that promotes polarization and superficial controversy. His coverage of the Jordan Lecture Series can only be characterized as a flagrant distortion.

Don H. MacDonald, ofm
Dean of Theology
Newman Theological College
Edmonton

Schools' calling sacred

I must congratulate you on your excellent editorial in the March 24 WCR. I sincerely hope administrators and trustees throughout the province read it carefully and ponder upon it. You cover the important human and Christian value issues that are involved in school closures. I like your realistic assessment of the consequences.

Trustees should do better than to conform to the dictates of the Minister of Learning Lyle Oberg. In your editorial you speak of education and that indeed is the sacred calling of Catholic schools. Lyle Oberg is not interested in education. He just wants youngsters to learn how to be economically useful human resources.

John Zyp
Edmonton

Presence defined, defended

In defence of Father Clem Gauthier (WCR, Feb. 24), who is my parish priest and whom I believe is a good, holy and well-read priest, against letters by Lonny D'Agostino (March 10) and Benoit Gallant (March 10).

Well sirs, I visit my husband's grave often and I believe he can hear my prayers though he's no longer here physically.

I feel his presence - likewise Jesus' presence in the Eucharist - though more profound.

So, Father Clem forgive them for they know not what the word "physical body" means.

Grace Bubar
Edmonton

Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 -- Western Catholic Reporter