Readers Speak Out: November 27, 2022

Hee’s sign

I was moved by the picture in the Nov. 6 issue of the octogenarian priest Fr. Tony Van Hee holding up a sign that read, “The primacy of free speech is the cornerstone of Western Civilization.” 

This is also the cornerstone of Christian faith, the basis of that very civilization.

In the secular world, the stone is the constitution and the builders, finding it inconvenient, prefer doing things by fiat. This has been the norm throughout history but the West has been an outlier, a city on a hill built on free expression. Now we risk losing our precious inheritance. 

May God bless Fr. Van Hee for his voice crying in the wilderness.

Michael Dias

Markham, Ont.

Preach it

When my Catholic Register arrives, I look for “Barefoot and Preaching” first. It is such a pleasure to read. 

I always feel Leah Perrault leads me along a path, sometimes stopping to look at flowers, sometimes examining the weeds. I find I have been led to a different way of looking at life with all its vicissitudes as seen through the eyes of a gentle and perceptive friend. This  is the best kind of preaching.

Patrick Davis

Calgary, Alta.

Integrity and identity

Your Nov. 20 editorial “Church’s Silent Killer” identifies the sexual misconduct of priests as a cause of the collapse of Catholic identity. 

In this context, it is crucial to recognize that the sexual revolution of the 1960s was not a mere sociological phenomenon but a deliberate attack on the Catholic Church. Unfortunately, very little resistance was mounted.

To this day, parish priests are generally silent on the relationship between integrity and chastity. 

Lise Anglin

Toronto 

How now?

I have re-read your numerous articles on “synodality” and the declining numbers in our Catholic churches. I am left with only questions and few answers. 

To improve my Catholic knowledge, I read just about every article in The Catholic Register and listen to podcasts, especially by Bishop Barron. When I read some articles in The Register, I often find the writer writing at a level well beyond my knowledge of theology. I think readers of The Register would prefer to read “how” theology applies to everyday lives. 

As for declining numbers, responsibility falls on our parish priests. How they interact with Mass attendees is more effective than bishops and theologians studying academic ways to increase numbers.  

Maybe the Catholic Church should be more attentive to “where we’re at” than an endless synod.

Doreen Charlebois

Sherwood Park, Alta.

Adjust for reality

It cannot be a surprise to anybody that Mass attendance and seminary enrollment has plummeted in Canada over the past 30 years. Has there been any adjustment at parish level to compensate for this? Not noticeable in our region in Ontario.

In Ireland they are realigning and reconfiguring parishes in order to adjust to the new reality. It’s sad but it is real. I don’t see the same level of understanding of reality and adjustment here.

Remember we cannot start to grow again until we understand the ground that we walk on.

Gerard Walsh

Saugeen Shores, Ont.