Last Updated:Friday - 09/24/2010

WCR Letters to the Editor

Telus dials a wrong number

As Catholic Christians, we have many opportunities to be Christ to others, whether it be in prayer and worship, reaching out to others in need, or standing up for what is right. Telus Mobility has provided us with an opportunity and Archbishop Raymond Roussin of Vancouver has provided an example.

Telus is the first wireless company in North America to offer pornographic materials accessible the same way one might download a ringtone or wallpaper for your cell phone. They claim that by doing so they are putting in place a secure means for consenting adults to consume whatever kind of media they like.

Phone in a complaint, and many of the customer service agents have a script to respond with, informing you that every cell phone with a web browser has always been able to download adult content. They've simply provided a way to purchase it securely - a customer must verify that they are 18 by inputting a valid credit card before accessing the service.

The problem here is twofold - they haven't restricted the access any phone's web browser has to adult content, and they've provided a new access point that is much simpler. And teenagers are often much more technologically savvy than their parents.

I don't for a minute believe that this is a secure means to protect children from pornography.

For us, as Christians, what is abundantly clear is Jesus' words regarding lust (one who looks at a woman with lust in his heart . . .), the damaging effects that an addiction to pornography can have on the family, and the reality that the images themselves distort and demean the human person, who is created in the image and likeness of God.

Archbishop Roussin has publicly commented that he is considering cancelling every contract in his archdiocese with Telus, and seeking out other service providers for phone, Internet and cellular PCS services. This is big business, and the only language they speak is money.

Whether or not this is a realistic option for each of us, as some may have signed long-term contracts with Telus, if you are a Telus customer, please take five minutes to voice your displeasure with this new service. You can phone them or visit their website to email a complaint to their customer service team.

This is one opportunity we have to be Christ to others, standing up for what is right, and in defence of those who are victims of pornography -whether they be those addicted to it, those taken advantage of in it, or our children whom we are trying so desperately to protect from it.

Michael Landry
Pastoral Assistant
Holy Trinity Parish
Spruce Grove/Stony Plain

Just imagine what heaven must be like

In the Feb. 5 WCR, I read the article regarding heaven and how little is known about it. It seems that some people aren't really that gung-ho about the place that's often been depicted as rather boring.

About three years ago, the WCR published a review on a book written by Anthony DeStefano called A Travel Guide to Heaven. Mr. DeStefano is a Catholic who used the Bible as his guide, along with his imagination and sense of fun and adventure to write this book. He made some excellent points.

Just take a moment to think about all the beauty and wonder that God created here on earth - majestic mountains and rivers, sublime sunsets, wondrous creatures in the air, on land and in the seas, loving and sometimes eccentric family members and friends.

Why would his creative genius stop here?

Try to imagine what he must have done with his own home - a home he wants to share with each one of us for all eternity.

Boring? Dull?

Hardly likely. "Eye has not seen nor ear heard . . .".

I highly recommend A Travel Guide to Heaven, a simple to read and incredibly inspirational book. I'm sure that after reading it, you'll look forward to your final destination as much as I do.

Sylvia Krikun
Mayerthorpe

Cardinal Ambrozic's pastoral service lauded

Thank you for the clear and comprehensive coverage of Archbishop Thomas Collins' arrival and installation in Toronto (WCR, Feb. 5).

We in the Archdiocese of Toronto have already accepted him warmly and there is a pervading spirit of hope and joy at his new ministry.

To allay some negative perceptions that some may have taken from your Feb. 5 article on page 16, may I offer the information that Cardinal Ambrozic never actually lived in a "palace," and in fact now resides in a fairly humble apartment himself.

In January 2003, I was pastor of St. Barnabas Parish in Scarborough, and hosted his eminence on two succeeding nights as he conferred the sacrament of Confirmation on groups of young people, 150 the first evening, and 98 the second.

Indeed, the auxiliary bishops do many of the Confirmations in the archdiocese, but most often, the sacrament is conferred by pastors of the parishes.

Cardinal Ambrozic's long episcopal service was marked by many moments of approachability and engagement with the ordinary sheep of his flock.

Rev. Philip Kennedy
President
Catholic Missions In Canada
Toronto

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