Last Updated:Friday - 09/24/2010

WCR Letters to the Editor

Contraception keeps population growth from getting out of hand

Re: "Speak out against abortion, contraception" (WCR Letters, Dec. 3).

I agree with Richard Jiry's comments regarding abortion, however, I disagree with his comments about contraception, at least partially.

There are two types of contraceptives, those that allow an egg to be fertilized but do not allow it to implant and those that prevent the egg and the sperm from reaching each other.

I believe the first to be sinful because a life is created in that moment of union and the latter to be not. Is the latter not the same as the so-called natural family planning methods? The egg and sperm do not make contact.

I believe in the sanctity of marriage and I believe that it is our right, our privilege, to have children. However, we have reached a new era and although God taught us to "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it."

The earth is full. The human population is spiralling out of control, we are facing crises of poverty, pollution and drought. By limiting the number of children we bring into this world, I believe we are providing them with more opportunities, a better life and hopefully a healthier planet.

I believe it our task as Catholics to care for our planet and provide an environment that our future generations can continue to enjoy for years.

And finally, I love being Catholic. I do not think it sinful to enjoy the very things that God has created for me to enjoy with my husband.

Katrina Sanford
Vegreville

Make room for married priests

My heart hurts.

My Church of many years is not moving with the times. God is forever. Jesus is forever. But the interpretation that the administrative hierarchy and the theological community give to some critical aspects of human life is wanting.

I met a former priest the other day. Now married and clearly contributing to local human service needs, I wish that he were ministering to our Church community. However, outmoded dogma forbids his former full participation.

In another vein, I would equate the limits placed on female participation to abuse of one gender of another.

It would be such a simple, wholesome shift to change rules permitting married priests and full female participation.

The intuitive, soul-based sense of a need for change is not new. However, the absurdity of the present situation grows more apparent daily.

Walter Walchuk
Edmonton

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