Last Updated:Friday - 09/24/2010
November 13, 2006
WCR Letters to the Editor
Keep the secular out of our schools
Your article in the Western Catholic Reporter in reference to Catholic schools and so-called need for casinos or other means for funds, was correct in my opinion also ("Schools without casinos and cheesecake,"WCR, Oct. 23).
I do not believe that any part of the Church, including its schools should have any connection with governments, community school boards or draw funds from secular schemes. It makes the Church and its schools vulnerable to the teachings and/or economics of government and the society in which they reside.
If we wish our children to be educated (as against schooled) then the Church must have schools for which the support comes from the diocese, parishes, parents and members.
Surely if we wish to have educated children, God fearing, and believe they are the treasures that they are, we should be willing to support their education/schools.
We might not have large houses, or two cars, or extended holidays or even comfortable church buildings, but we will have the means to educate our children properly.
One example of a good and proper school for boys was Notre Dame College in Saskatchewan, under that blessed man Pere Murray.
The boys would follow him to the ends of the earth even if they did not have good housing, good food and money at hand.
They had challenge and a leader teaching all things with Our Lord in mind (good hockey team too).
Yesterday I watched an item on the coach of Notre Dame U's football team in the U.S. with a coach much like Pere (same rough language and attitude) which leads young men to the highest standards they are possible of obtaining. A good school.
Maybe we should stop thinking of schools as society believes they should be and have Church schools in the name of Christ Jesus as Christ would have them be.
George Mealey
Edmonton
Make peace with violations against the unborn
I applaud the organizers and participants of the recent Building World Peace Conference (WCR, Oct. 30) for their efforts to initiate a local dialogue among members of the larger world religions on the role of religions and human rights in building world peace.
Although it was heartening to learn that a few of the speakers made references to the sanctity of human life in their presentations, I was disappointed that none of the topics outlined in the conference schedule, (which can be viewed at http://buildingworldpeace.com), addressed the violations against the right to life of preborns, even though the right to life is the most basic of the human rights.
There will never be a culture of peace without a culture of life that respects the rights of the weakest members of the human race, who are preborns living in their mothers' wombs.
Hopefully the upcoming UN Youth Conference in Edmonton in the spring of 2007 will address the horrific human rights violations against preborns that continue to plague our world.
Mary-Ellen Robinson
Edmonton
Jesuits call for negotiation, compromise
Thank you for the quotes from La Civilta Cattolica ("War won't end terrorism, says Jesuit magazine, WCR, Oct. 30). It is refreshing to read reason rather than rhetoric.
Logic is a quality sorely lacking from almost all political and religious expression.
The Jesuits are right.
Of course occupation and war feed terrorism.
Why do we believe otherwise in the face of history both ancient and modern? Do you suppose any of the powers-that-be will listen to the Jesuits?
Probably not, the voice of reason has never been popular. It is so much more satisfying to fight, especially if it's other people's children who are dying, than go through the really hard slow work of negotiation and compromise.
In the meantime, as always, civilians suffer devastating loss.
C.M. Knowles
Vegreville
Push gov't for adequate funding for our schools
I like your editorial in the Oct 23 WCR ("Schools without casinos and cheesecake").
As an administrator in the Edmonton Catholic school system, I have consistently opposed fundraising by students and staff. It takes away time, talent and energy from our vocation to educate.
I have been retired for 16 years and I am surprised that the same old issues keep resurfacing.
Education is much more than schooling, but Catholics understand that. Permeation of all aspects of all school activities by our faith is our calling. That includes the tools we use to educate, such as computers, audiovisuals, libraries, field trips, sports equipment. What matters is how we use the tools.
I am disappointed that Bishop Henry got away with his bullying of the Calgary Catholic schools. Our schools are not parochial, thank God!
It would be helpful for all involved in the current fundraising dispute to remember that the Catholic Church has a longstanding tradition of joyfully accepting very large donations of ethically questionable origin, no questions asked. Most of that is spent on material goods such as libraries, churches, rectories, stained glass, statuary, paintings and vestments.
I have no problem with that as long as the institutional church also fights for social justice - not to be confused with charity.
Charity and volunteerism encourage governments to abdicate their responsibility for the common good.
In the same vein, I have no problem with parents hustling up some money for their schools. The school does not need to know where it came from, any more than bishops know where their donations come from.
What is really important is that parents and their elected representatives on school boards dedicate much of their energy to fighting for adequate funding for education from pre-school to Grade 12.
Children are our future. All children are entitled to quality education. All Albertans should pay for that, from the public purse, managed by the government.
Parents should refuse to pay school fees. Fundraising should be for luxury frills only.
John Zyp
Edmonton
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.
|
