Readers Speak Out: May 9, 2021

Great theologian

Just read in The Catholic Register that the theologian Hans Küng passed away. It may have been a small piece, but it was respectful.

Some of his books have been controversial. For the life of me I don’t understand why. I have read at least a dozen of his books and none of them strike me as unorthodox. On Being a Christian is one I have read over and over again to renew my faith.

I read his books more than any other religions books except the Bible. He isn’t like the scholars of the Jesus Seminar who have essentially lost their faith. He remained a practising priest until his death.

Through him I was encouraged to read the works of several other theologians, including Pope Benedict XVI, who is also brilliant and his style is similar to Küng’s.

To me, Küng was a great theologian. I am reminded about the soldier sent to arrest Jesus in the temple. When they came back empty-handed and were questioned by the Sanhedrin they replied, “No one has spoken like this man.”

And that’s the way I felt about Küng . No one has explained complex issues of our faith with words of such clarity as he did.

So I want to thank God for a man who has had a bigger impact on improving my faith than any other person. Hans Küng RIP.

John Nazareth,

Mississauga, Ont.

Pale imitation

Re: Morality has little hope in government (April 25):

I would like to thank Charles Lewis for his column. Right on Charles.

Last week I wrote a letter to Erin O’Toole, which he may never see, but someone in that office will. I told him I am withdrawing my longstanding support of his party because it is becoming a pale imitation of the Liberal Party, which I have never voted for and never will. I am not a one-issue voter, but what passes as “women’s rights” has gone too far, and not what I and many others want for our country. Politics can ruin family relationships, as we all know. I have always voted my conscience, and thanks to The Catholic Register for helping me in doing that.

Clare F. Dashney,

Whitby, Ont.

End cruelty

Re: Casting a compassionate eye on the food we eat (Feb. 21):

I got inspired by a letter to the editor, “End suffering” (April 18). It was necessary for me to re-read the referenced article. Among other things, it cited the advocacy of Chris Fegan of Catholic Concern for Animals. 

Yes, pain and suffering are not only experienced by humans, but also by animals. It is not my intention to devalue human life by comparing it to animal life. Why can’t our society, at least, give the same compassion against the cruelty done to unwanted unborns to let them live?  

Rufino Ty,

Brampton, Ont.