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Last Updated: Friday - 09/24/2010March 1, 2010
WCR Letters to the Editor
Historical facts dispute Pius XII's alleged silenceWhile I know that Cindy Wooden, the author of the Jan. 25 article, "Pope extends olive branch to Rome's Jews," is merely reporting Pacifici's words that "The silence of Pius XII during the Shoah is still painful today," and that the suffering of the Jewish people has been and is still beyond words, it pains me to read such misinformation time and time again. I would like to refer readers to the book, The Myth of Hitler's Pope, written in 2005 by Rabbi David Dalin. Dalin, professor of history and political science at Ave Maria University, felt an obligation to correct what he calls slander against a pope who single-handedly did more than anyone else to save Jews during the Holocaust. He has also written an article, "A Righteous Gentile: Pope Pius XII and the Jews," which can be found at www.catholicleague.org. I would also like to refer readers to the book Pope Fiction, which quotes Albert Einstein's words in the Dec. 23, 1940 Times, "Being a lover of freedom, when the revolution came in Germany, I looked to the universities to defend it, knowing that they always boasted of their devotion to the cause of truth; but no, the universities immediately were silenced. "Then I looked at the great editors of the newspapers, whose flaming editorials in days gone by had proclaimed their love of freedom. But they. . . were silenced in a few short weeks. "Only the Church stood squarely across the path of Hitler's campaign for suppressing truth. I had never any special interest in the Church before, but now I feel a great affection and admiration because the Church alone has had the courage and persistence to stand for intellectual truth and freedom." In the interest of this same truth, I believe that we must not fear to redress myths. Lise Godin St. Paul Reason for Port au Prince tragedy proposedIn the Feb. 1 WCR, Father Ron Rolheiser said that Jesus didn't address the issue of why tragedies like the one in Port au Prince, happen to people. But I think Jesus did in fact address it, even though it's politically incorrect to say what he said. Please read Luke 13.1-5. "Or those 18 on whom the tower of Siloam fell and killed them? Do you suppose that they were more guilty than all the other people living in Jerusalem? They were not I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did." Just because they're Catholic doesn't mean they've repented. The same can be said of Sodom and Gomorrah. Matthew 11.20-24. The prophecies say that Paris and even Rome will be destroyed too. See St. John Bosco for example. What happened in Port au Prince, may one day be a warning to us all. If Father Ron knew this, why didn't he say something about it? Is this not considered apologetics? Bernard Rioux Edmonton Michaelle Jean's award by Catholic university faultedI read with surprise the article in Feb. 8 WCR that Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean and her husband have been honoured by Saint Paul University. Has the fact been overlooked that, just two years ago, she awarded the honour of the Order of Canada to abortion doctor Henry Morgentaler? I believe that action negates any claims she makes to being worthy of any honour, let alone one made by a Catholic university or a Catholic organization of any kind. The evil that man inspired and continues to inspire in this country is appalling and anyone who feels he is worthy of any honour is themselves unworthy of honour. Saint Paul University should rethink their decision and we should all remember what Gov. Gen. Jean considers worthy of praise and honour. Janet Baker Red Deer Letters to the EditorThe 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. Deadline for letters to be considered for publication is Friday noon, 10 days prior to the date of the issue. The WCR's policy for letters to the editor is available online at www.wcr.ab.ca/letters-policy.shtml. |
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