Last Updated:Friday - 09/24/2010

WCR Letters to the Editor

Keep our Catholic heritage

The Sept. 19 issue of the WCR was something of a mixed bag, with several outstanding articles and letters that provided clear, insightful commentary on our Catholic faith, while others were more of a sad reflection on what has gone wrong with the Church in the West.

An elderly nun participating in a hedonistic "Ironman" competition,a priest promoting the integration of cultic yoga practices into Christian prayer life, anda caring father lamenting a local Catholic school refusing to ban Satanic "Goth" culture all point to one thing: As Catholics, we have not so much affected change in the culture around us, as we have allowed it to affect change in us, and not necessarily for the better.

In an article of his own, editorGlen Argan says that his "driving passion is that the Church should be the leaven which inspires the renewal of society in the light of the Gospel." Amen to that.

However, we cease being that leaven when we begin abandoning our Catholic heritage in favour of adopting as our own the cultural fashions of the times. If we are to make a difference, we must be the "sign of contradiction" that stands out as a clear beacon for others to follow, otherwise we are just another muddled voice among many, drowned out by the incessant clamour for the world's attention.

If we as Church cease to be relevant in the eyes of the world, a fate much worse than persecution will befall us: we will be ignored entirely.

Finally, one last word on the controversy regarding the Eucharist, an issue so simple, it should be apparent for all to see. Our "Amen" prior to the reception of the Eucharist is not only an acknowledgement of the real presence on our part, it is also a declaration that we are in full communion with the Universal Church, that we hold to be true all that the magisterium promulgates.

If not, our "Amen" is a hypocritical lie, and we must in good conscience refrain from receiving the Eucharist, as must non-Catholics, who in all likelihood obviously either do not know or do not believe the Church's teaching.

Jim Verreault
Red Deer

Our youth spread Christ's light

World Youth Day 2005 was a wonderful experience and we wish to thank you for your part in it. About 50 young people from your diocese stayed in parishes in the Archdiocese of Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Their prayers, stories and fellowship has made these Days of Encounter an unforgettable experience for all the young people and host families.

Archbishop Cardinal Simonis was happy with the turnout for and the nature of the event.

We believe that this can have a profound impact on the future of our local Church. There is a new energy that empowers young people to form groups and to share in the life of their local communities.

And the young motivate the not-so-young with their openness to faith and all their fair questions. The statistics may not predict a bright future, but we have hope.

Thank you for all of this. Parents, thank you for letting your children come to Europe. Pastors, thank you for educating your young people so well. Bishops, thank you for your blessing for this event.

Everyone, thank you for your prayers and support.

Anton ten Klooster
On behalf of Dutch WYD pilgrims
Utrecht, Netherlands

Letters to the Editor

The WCR welcomes your letters. Please write 300 words or less and tell us your name, address and daytime phone number. All letters are subject to editing.

Opinions expressed in letters to the editor do not necessarily represent the views of the WCR.

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