Last Updated:Friday - 09/24/2010
August 25, 2008
WCR Letters to the Editor
Walls must not separate laity, clergy
As one who was a member of the Edmonton Archdiocese for over half a century, chair of the board of trustees of Edmonton Catholic Schools in the 1970s and, in different decades, member and vice-chair of the board of governors of Newman Theological College, I have read with great interest of the beautiful new building to house St. Joseph Seminary.
I have also read, with growing concern, the articles and letters published in the WCR with respect to what is seen by some laypersons as "a growth in clericalism" and "an end to vibrant programs" formerly offered at Newman.
I have also read that future plans calls for "a free-standing structure" to be built to house Newman Theological College.
What a pity it will be if these new walls and a changing philosophy serve to separate, rather than bridge closer together, our future priests and laypersons who have studied head-to-head and walked and worked hand-in-hand to forge ahead in the building of a flourishing, dynamic Christian community.
It was one that encompassed the ecumenical outreach that embodied the spirit of Pope John XXIII and gave life to the vision of Archbishop Anthony Jordan and his successor Archbishop Emeritus Joseph MacNeil.
I was one who was caught up in that vision and, over the years, witnessed the spiritual renewal and sense of Christian commitment which was experienced in our homes, schools, parishes and the broader community as a result of the programs offered by Newman and the outstanding contributions made by those who graduated from them.
I have therefore felt a certain sense of loss in reading of what would appear to be a changing mandate for Newman. I am also concerned for the future of a Church community which may no longer provide for the members of the laity the kind of formation needed to develop the leadership and skills required in lay ministry.
However, having learned that in the long run when we mortals fall short the Creator can be counted on to go the distance, I remain hopeful.
Jean Forest
Victoria
Letter to the Editor - 06/30/08
Letter to the Editor - 06/30/08
Letter to the Editor - 07/14/08
Letter to the Editor - 07/14/08
Letter to the Editor - 07/21/08
Letter to the Editor - 07/21/08
Letter to the Editor - 09/08/08
Clericalism? What are you talking about?
Recent issues of the WCR contained both joyful articles and troubling letters. The July 14th issue, for example, contained articles on the new permanent deacons in the Edmonton Archdiocese, the new dean of Newman College, and the recent Family Life Conference.
And while some of the letters called on all Catholics to respond to the propaganda of those who choose Order of Canada recipients, some of the letters continued to focus on the "rise in clericalism" in Edmonton.
I have to say: What in heck are you talking about?
My family and I moved from Ontario four years ago. Before moving here, we didn't know much about Alberta, nor did we ever hear much about this wonderful province. We had no idea what a Catholic province Alberta is.
We didn't know just how involved the laity can be in the life of each parish and in the diocese. We didn't know, because we hadn't seen that in such rich abundance in Ontario.
Here in Alberta, people still take their faith seriously, still treat their faith as an integral part of their lives. It reminds of the Ontario that I grew up in, but that was over 40 years ago.
When we came to Alberta, we found strong, even outspoken, shepherds, like Bishops Collins and Henry. We found parishes alive with the faith and full of energetic Catholic families, like our parish - St. Mary's in Red Deer.
We found conferences led by ordinary Catholics who saw a need, the Youth for Truth conference, Men of Integrity and Catholic Family Life, for example.
We also found conferences and events sponsored by the archdiocese, like ScriptureFest and Theology on Tap.
One letter writer asked for the Holy Spirit to "enlighten and forgive our clergy." Well, we all need forgiveness, but I for one am very grateful that the clergy that I know in Alberta are already enlightened in the faith.
Thank you, God, for leaders like Archbishop Smith, for pastors like Fathers Paul Kavanagh and Gary Lee (soon to be moving to greener [?] pastures in Edmonton), for the many other priests we have met, and for the men and their families who recently became deacons.
There are many ways we, as Catholics, can live out our vocations. Worrying about clericalism ain't one of 'em.
Paul van den Bosch
Red Deer
Letter to the Editor - 06/30/08
Letter to the Editor - 06/30/08
Letter to the Editor - 07/14/08
Letter to the Editor - 07/14/08
Letter to the Editor - 07/21/08
Letter to the Editor - 07/21/08
Letter to the Editor - 09/08/08
Torch for lay involvement will not be dropped
Several letters have been written (WCR, June 30, July 14, July 21) regarding various issues in the Church and in particular the closure of programs at Newman Theological College.
As an instructor for the Formation for Pastoral Service program (closed in 2006) and Summer School for Liturgical Studies (in the process of being closed), I too grieve. I wish that things could have happened differently.
On the other hand, I remain hopeful that something new will arise. Perhaps we will experience yet another aspect of the paschal mystery.
I continue to believe in what I said in an interview when I was ordained deacon (WCR, Feb. 27, 1989): "God calls us all through Baptism."
Some 19 years later, I hope to continue, as I said in the same interview, "encouraging lay leadership and to continue to grow in Christ and to help people grow in Christ."
I am safely able to say that there are other members of the clergy who share similar ideas regarding lay leadership and the formation of all of the people of God.
Rev. Leo Hofmann
Edmonton
Letter to the Editor - 06/30/08
Letter to the Editor - 06/30/08
Letter to the Editor - 07/14/08
Letter to the Editor - 07/14/08
Letter to the Editor - 07/21/08
Letter to the Editor - 07/21/08
Letter to the Editor - 09/08/08
Church of England takes worthy stand
Re: "Vatican regrets Church of England's move toward women bishops" (WCR, July 14).
The Vatican statement on this decision by the Church of England is interesting for two reasons.
First is the disappointment that the Vatican feels toward women becoming bishops. Many Catholic women, myself included, feel the same disappointment with the Roman Catholic Church for its systematic exclusion of women from priesthood and leadership.
The reference that the Vatican makes to the breaking of apostolic tradition prompted me to think about Jesus' opinion of tradition. Jesus often criticized the religious leaders of the time for putting their traditions and rituals before genuine love of God and neighbour.
Jesus did not suffer, die and rise to maintain the status quo, He did it all so that the outcasts, the shunned, the poor, the excluded might finally be accepted.
Second, the Vatican statement refers to the practices of the Church during the first millennium. In fact, for almost the first 400 years after the death of Jesus the Eucharist was most often celebrated in believers' homes and in secret for fear of persecution.
This most certainly meant that women were as much a part of the celebration as were men.
This began to change when Constantine ended the persecutions and converted to Christianity. The Church then began to adopt many Roman customs including the exclusion of women from positions of authority. The Church became more Roman than Catholic.
From a Christian point of view, the attitude of the hierarchy toward women is totally unacceptable, and I for one applaud the Church of England for recognizing this fact.
It not only understands that this is the proper direction to take, it is not intimidated by the Vatican's threat to end reconciliation talks if the Church of England ordains women bishops.
Lori Dexter
Gibbons
More opposition to Morgentaler nomination
I totally endorse the letters of Albert Robinson and Robert Mollot published in the July 21 WCR.
The nomination of Henry Morgentaler for the Order of Canada by the advisory council is not surprising. A few years ago, before she was named governor-general, Michaelle Jean, as a journalist, said, in an interview, that she did not know who God was.
Today, she has the power to accept or refuse the nominations for the Order of Canada. She rules over the advisory council. I admit that she is a good person, but does she represent the majority of Canadians whom are Christians?
Does she believe that Scripture and science agree that the child before birth is a human being with potential and not a potential human being? Birth is only a change of residence for a living person.
Many people from other faith groups in Canada believe that life begins at conception. What about the members of the advisory council? Are they all pro-abortion?
Sr. Elisabeth Coulombe, sgm
Edmonton
Letters to the Editor
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