Readers Speak Out: May 12, 2019

Unfortunate statement

Re: An architect’s quest for ‘transcendence’ (April 28):

I’m an architect who has designed churches in Canada for a number of years. The recent article about Frank Gehry caught my attention and led me to some reflection. 

Bishop Robert Barron captured Gehry’s story in an excellent way. My only question is how can the Diocese of Los Angeles work with Gehry successfully on a cathedral project after his unfortunate statement?

Andrew Baczynski,

Georgetown, Ont.

Being pro-life

Re: Being pro-life for all life (April 28):

Janelle Lafantaisie wonders if being pro-life should also include issues other than abortion, like children in foster care. I would answer no.

I am not saying we shouldn’t care about foster children; of course we should. Yes, we must have compassion for all our brothers and sisters, but that does not mean we should begin to work for all these other issues as well.

In fact being “pro-life” has come to mean specifically opposing abortion — and not, for instance, opposing war or the death penalty.

There are already many people who advocate and work for all the other life issues, but not for abortion. This is because each one of us is called to work in the area we feel suits our particular talents and or desires. Many of us are devoted to the one very important foundational issue of abortion. 

If we started to also work on other life issues, it would only serve to dilute the time and energy we have to work on bringing an end to abortion. I am pro-life. I work to end abortion.

Patricia Maloney,

Ottawa, Ont.

Inconsolable sorrow

The Easter Sunday terrorist attacks on churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka have shocked the world but for us Sri Lankan expatriates the attacks are heart-breaking and extremely painful. 

The most grievous incidents were the attacks at two renowned shrines, St. Antony’s and St. Sebastian’s. St. Antony’s is well-known as a miraculous shrine and thousands of all faiths patronize it day in and day out. 

There is a small wooden statue encased in a glass feretory which the faithful just want to touch and invoke blessings. 

Mostly on Tuesdays, from early morning till late into the night, a stream of people stand in a long queue to touch the glass feretory. They will then light candles, place garlands made of jasmine flowers and anoint themselves with blessed oil. 

Similarly, St. Sebastian’s is renowned for the miracles that the saint showers on his devotees. As usual, the shrine was packed on Easter Sunday morning Mass when the bomb went off.

These horrendous bombings have caused so much pain and inconsolable sorrow to us Sri Lankans. Please pray for the afflicted.

Benedict Thomas,

Scarborough, Ont.