Letters to the Editor: August 11: ‘The [Catholic] The Church needs our prayers more than our money. Readers Respond to Church Property Survey, Other Letters to the Editor

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Love thy neighbor

Re The Catholic Church in Canada is worth billions. Why are his boarding school repairs so small? (Folio, August 7): Like many Catholics, I have found the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church‘s response to the residential school tragedy demoralizing and embarrassing. Many Catholics do not attend Sunday Mass to protest the way the Church is handling the issue. Unfortunately, with attendance already low due to the pandemic, this action may go unnoticed. Church leaders might be careful, however, if parishioners withhold their weekly offerings until the Church makes an honest confession and pays its long-overdue debt to residential school survivors. The Church needs our prayers more than our money. We must pray that the Church and its leaders will participate meaningfully in reconciliation and begin their journey to forgiveness and redemption.

Gioia flynn Barrie, Ont.

The Globe and Mail’s excellent investigative report into the finances of the Catholic Church in Canada reveals assets of over $ 4 billion. At the same time, the Catholic Church has been reluctant to provide adequate financial reparations to Indigenous communities affected by the injustices of the residential school system. Obviously, there is no consideration for the Christian ethic, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

These actions will affect the number of Canadians, including Catholic members, who see the Catholic Church. Negatively at best. What would Jesus have said? Maybe it’s time for another “temple” cleansing – in this case, the Catholic hierarchy.

Catherine balica Ottawa

2022 in sight

Re boycotting the upcoming Beijing Olympics will hurt athletes. Here’s a better idea (August 9): Bruce Kidd’s smart suggestion should be seriously considered by governments, athletes, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and of course the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Rule 50, which guarantees freedom of expression, must absolutely be observed at the 2022 Winter Olympics.

The IOC must affirm the importance of human rights and free and complete intercultural exchanges in all ceremonies, events and meetings in the Olympic village, as the founder Pierre de Coubertin wanted.

The IOC must make it very clear to Chinese President Xi Jinping that while it is grateful to China for hosting the Olympic Games, all its participants must be guaranteed freedom of expression – including condemnation of genocide – in the event. Olympic enclosure. In the absence of this guarantee, the IOC must decline the invitation from China.

Bernard de Rosnay Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.

Hostage diplomacy

Re Trump treated Meng hostage: Lawyers (Aug 10): Beyond the atrocious comparison to China’s treatment of Michael Kovrig, Michael Spavor and Robert Schellenberg, Meng Wanzhou’s lawyers argued this week in a courtroom BC hearing that their client was being treated as a “hostage.” The practice of criminal law often raises unique and troubling ethical paradoxes. Our justice system demands a fearless defense on behalf of an accused client. However, in Ms. Meng’s extradition, an illustrious array of Canadian defense attorneys saw beyond the use of hostage diplomacy by their client’s benefactor in an attempt to tip the scales and corrupt our criminal process and the rule of law. There are, under these circumstances, many reasons for the attorney to refuse Ms. Meng’s warrant. I respectfully suggest they should have.

Ron beram Retired Crown Attorney, Gabriola, BC

The one who hesitates …

Re Ontario Business Groups Voice Support for Vaccine Certificates in the Face of Potential Lockdown (August 10): At some point, our governments will realize that what is best for businesses would be to provide vaccinated Canadians with the means to feel safe to frequent restaurants, cinemas, etc. by offering a form of passport or vaccination certificate. Their reluctance to take such action is what really stifles the economy.

Jim woodgett Toronto

Of course, business groups are in favor of vaccination certificates. Their introduction would represent an important way to protect their customers and employees, as well as to mitigate a fourth wave. Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s stubborn refusal to even consider this logical step flies in the face of credible medical, political and business advice, and is both troubling and baffling.

Francois Barry Toronto

I don’t understand why so many people want to put in place vaccination passports. As someone who has been vaccinated and believes in the effectiveness of vaccines, I don’t mind the presence of unvaccinated people. After all, the purpose of these vaccines is to reduce the severity of COVID-19 if the person contracts it. Therefore, even if I were infected, I would most likely be protected against serious illness.

Quite frankly, what would make me uncomfortable is being part of a society where there are two distinct classes of people.

Niko Fragis London, Ont.

Red code

Re Humans to Blame for Accelerating Climate Change: Report (August 9): The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has been called a code red for the planet. This is evident in light of raging forest fires, persistent drought, flooding, severe storms, melting glaciers and permafrost, and massive displacement of people. And this is all due to our burning of fossil fuels.

There are many solutions to prevent further harm to people and the planet, but only if we act now.

I urge governments around the world, and in particular my Government of Canada, to stop the expansion of fossil fuels immediately. It is a shame that the Trudeau government is talking about the urgency of the climate crisis, while giving billions of dollars in subsidies to the very fossil fuel industry that is fueling the crisis.

Stop funding the fossil fuel industry. Stop mining for coal, oil, tar sands, natural gas and fracking resources. Leave it all in the ground. Recycle workers from fossil fuels to help develop green energy sources. If necessary, let the big fossil fuel companies go bankrupt and collapse. We don’t need them.

People can argue that ending fossil fuels will be disruptive. It won’t be as disruptive as the disaster that lies ahead if we do nothing.

Ken cory Oshawa, Ont.

Fifty years ago, when the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty entered into force, we did not despair for the lost profits of the bomb industries, nor did we defend the lost jobs of the nuclear manufacturers. bombs. The world did not ask who had the responsibility to act first, or who was most to blame. The reality of the nuclear bomb has not been ignored and its devastating effects have not been minimized or dismissed. We acted to save each other, but more importantly, we acted to save each other.

Today we must act again, and an equally grim outcome awaits us if we fail. It is now the world’s duty to stop the proliferation of fossil fuels, to implement strong climate policies in the last window of time before us.

Let’s start in Canada. Today is better than tomorrow.

Mark Taylor Calgary

Letters to the Editor should be exclusive to The Globe and Mail. Include your name, address, and daytime phone number. Try to limit the letters to less than 150 words. Letters can be edited for length and clarity. To send a letter by e-mail, click here: [email protected]