Like millions around the world, I am deeply saddened by the turn of events in Ukraine and my heart aches for the innocent people, especially the women and children. One of the most heart-breaking, gut-wrenching scenes shown on television was that of a young woman cradling an infant in her arms, crying inconsolably, and screaming, “My baby is dead! Kill me! Kill me!”
While we have been emotionally drained by this senseless slaughter, it must be borne in mind it is not the Aztecs who are torturing and murdering people and then offering them up to their gods. These brutal killings are being perpetrated by Christians who profess to be followers of Christ.
From the Latin-led Crusades which saw the beautiful Hagia Sophia, originally an Orthodox Church, vandalized, desecrated, and looted of its precious and sacred objects, to the constant wars in Europe, to the Thirty Years’ War, Christians have been slaughtering each other, fully convinced God was on their side.
The meeting of Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox leader Patriarch Kirill in Havana in 2016 was to resolve the hatred and animosity between the two churches that has raged for centuries. They discussed a 30-point document calling both churches to “prudence, social solidarity and to action aimed at peace.”
Pope Francis was criticized for this and branded as pro-communist. The Pontiff after celebrating Mass on Easter Sunday decried the war in Ukraine without mentioning Vladimir Putin for the decision to launch the invasion. Instead, he called Patriarch Kirill a “brother” and urged they should pray for one another and for the suffering of members of the human family, broken by violence, war, and injustices.
Both are pastors of the same people who believe in God, in the Holy Trinity, in the Holy Mother of God. Francis was also harshly criticized for that “strange” visit to the Russian Embassy. It seems not to have occurred to people that Pope Francis tried to reach out to Patriarch Kirill – a friend – to plead with him to prevent Putin from destroying the Catholic Church in Ukraine which is loyal to Rome.
I firmly believe Pope Francis is the only one who will be able to convince not only Patriarch Kirill but also Putin that when the power of love conquers the love of power, peace will reign supreme. In the meantime, let us keep praying because the doomsday clock has now been moved to 100 seconds to midnight.
Leslie Michael
Maple Ridge
Mental health supports should never include assisted suicide. If people do nothing, by the time we reach March 2023 doctors will be able to offer assisted suicide to Canadians with mental illness.
Please help us stop this. These are people you know. Assisted suicide for the mentally ill is a step backwards. Help us stop the expansion of assisted suicide to those with mental illness. People with mental illness deserve love not death.
Dean Clark
Langley
