Last Updated:Friday - 09/24/2010

WCR Letters to the Editor

Cast a glance back at the cost of 'social change'

In Bishop Fred Henry's commentary in the Aug. 25 WCR, he tells how a spokesperson has stated that Prime Minister Jean Chretien must serve all Canadians, not just his Church.

This is a tremendous relief to me. I had thought Chretien was really going to implement the legalization of same-sex "marriages." I am glad he is going to consider the good of Canadian society.

Fifty years ago it seemed logical that loosening the divorce laws would be compassionate for those struggling in unhappy marriages, but have little effect on society as a whole. Even the children, it was said, would benefit if released from unhappy homes.

Well, we now see that children are not better off. Studies consistently show that children from broken families more often live in poverty, are twice as likely to drop out of school, have much greater risks of alcoholism, drug addiction and teen pregnancy.

The suicide rate for kids from broken homes is three times that of kids who live with both biological parents. Seventy per cent of kids in juvenile reform institutions are from broken homes. Easier divorce laws did, in fact, affect society as a whole in ways that were not expected.

Then, 40 years ago, the pill was going to liberate society. It would give women control, strength and freedom. Every child would be a wanted child and child abuse would be non-existent. It would strengthen marriages. We would all be happier and freer.

Pope Paul VI stood alone against the world in 1968 and, Humanae Vitae said that allowing artificial contraception would weaken marriages and increase the divorce rate. This has happened. In fact, the divorce rate has increased to 50 per cent for couples who use artificial contraception as opposed to four per cent for those using natural family planning.

Paul VI said that children would be devalued and all forms of child abuse, including abortion, would increase. This has happened.

He said that men would look upon women, not as people worthy of care and respect, but as objects for their own enjoyment. Women would not be empowered, Pope Paul said, but would be degraded and become more vulnerable. And this has happened.

Paul VI also prophesied something that no one imagined. He said governments would impose upon their people the method of contraception which they, the government, judged to be most efficacious. Of course, this has been happening in China since the 1980s with its enforced contraception, sterilization, abortion and infanticide laws and practices.

Now Chretien is talking about changing the legal definition of marriage to "a union between two persons," rather than "a union between one man and one woman."

Much of the reaction I hear goes like this: "Who can it hurt? It won't affect the rest of us. It can only create more happy, strong families."

But I affirm that this decision will cause irreparable and disastrous harm to all of us in ways that we cannot even imagine.

Marie-Jeanne Davie
St. Albert

God's plan calls for one man, one woman

Thank you for your article on the Edmonton Faith Coalition (WCR, Aug. 25). Those who believe themselves to be homosexuals, being trapped in that lifestyle choice, are vigorously attacking the moral values of people of faith. They are pushing for the dismantling of natural marriage, the basic unit of civilized society for millennia.

What would they think of the Church leaders if they actually kept silent on these issues? People of faith must speak out; otherwise their very faith is in question. Why are our government leaders yielding to such coercion by a special interest group; do they fear exposure if they don't vote in favour?

The marriage of one man to one woman to the exclusion of all others was God's original design; we mess with that at our peril. God has specifically outlawed all kinds of perversions, not to harm us, but to make life more beautiful. My heart bleeds for those who cannot or refuse to see that truth.

Karin Ristau
Edmonton

Step out of your comfort zone and speak out

Thank God we have some Catholics such as editor Glen Argan, Bishop Fred Henry of Calgary and Archbishop Thomas Collins of Edmonton who are vocal and articulate in the denunciation of Chretien's government to force the legalization of "gay marriages" on Canadians without due process of democratic process.

Pope John Paul has urged all Catholics to take a stand, but over the summer my husband and I have been to numerous different Catholic churches in Alberta and Saskatchewan (due to family visits) and there has not been any mention of the Catholic Church's position on this pending legislation which will affect the very fabric of our society from any of our local pulpits.

This past Sunday during a very inspiring homily at OLPH Church in Sherwood Park the priest talked about sermons where comfort gives way to principles. Are our local pastors too concerned about the "comfort level" of their parishioners and sacrificing the principles of church doctrine?

Doreen Charlebois
Sherwood Park

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