Last Updated:Friday - 09/24/2010

WCR Letters to the Editor

Defrocking should be automatic

I read recently about an Ontario diocese that was considering a request to "defrock" a priest found guilty of abuse (WCR, Aug. 21). What I can't believe is that this is not an automatic procedure when a priest is found guilty of this or other crimes.

If any other professional, such as a doctor, nurse, lawyer or teacher were found guilty of such a crime, I am sure that they would lose their right to practise their profession.

If priests found guilty of crimes are not punished both by the legal system and internally by losing their right to practise as a priest, it is no wonder that the Catholic Church faces mockery and its people feel betrayed.

You can't possibly be expected to look up at someone saying Mass on a Sunday who has been charged and found guilty of abuse and take his role as a priest and leader seriously. It is simply absurd to think that these people would have any role in the Church.

Colleen Smith
Edmonton

Honour the rosary and its power to fight evil during October

As the Church militant on earth, the pope, bishops, priests, deacons, nuns and all lay people have need for weapons to fight the various heresies and evils of our present age (abortion, gay marriage).

Of the many treasures given by holy mother Church, none is more effective than the holy rosary. The holy rosary has been greatly indulgenced over the years and Pope Leo XIII wrote nine encyclicals on it.

The patron saint of parish priests, St. John Vianney, was many times seen with a rosary in his hands, while St. Padre Pio referred to the rosary as "the weapon."

The Roman Church designates the month of October to the rosary. Let us all take advantage of this as a time of grace.

Aaron Stitzenberger
Busby

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