Clare Lazzuri’s reminder to “be not afraid” (B.C. Catholic, Oct. 19) is welcome in itself; however, she never quite acknowledges that fear can stir us to respond rightly to genuine risk: something would be the matter with me if I got out of the car with my godson even after spotting a mountain lion outside.
Likewise, it is hardly unreasonable for public health officials or ordinary citizens to fear the mortality of their loved ones and themselves.
I won’t deny that some measures against the pandemic have been overcautious. Unless Lazzuri has some inside personal knowledge, though, it’s presumptuous to characterize most policy makers as “coming from a place of fear.”
And whether they are people of faith is not particularly relevant: the theological virtues such as faith are supposed to build upon rather than replace the cardinal virtues, one of which is prudence.
Many officials correctly predicted a flattened curve would be interpreted by skeptics as proof that the threat had been exaggerated but were willing to face that backlash anyway for the sake of the common good.
Lazzuri asks what, other than fear, we are teaching children when we cover our God-given faces in public. I’d say we’re modelling care for our neighbours.
Alan Yoshioka
Vancouver
Re the Separated at Birth series (B.C. Catholic, Sept. 28, Oct. 5, 12):
Thank you, Bernadette Dumas-Rymer for courageously sharing your story.
For anyone within the adoption triangle, I found reading Anne Petrie’s 1998 book Gone to an Aunt’s – Remembering Canada’s Homes for Unwed Mothers” a great source of understanding that allows for healing whether you surrendered a child for adoption, were an adopted child, or were adoptive parents.
Anne Petrie worked for CBC Radio/TV for many years. In 1967 she went to the Salvation Army’s Maywood Home for Girls at 7250 Oak St. and 57th in Vancouver while she was studying at UBC. Her book focuses on the period from 1950-1970. Seven women from across Canada including the author recount their experiences.
Randy Castellarin
Surrey
Dear Bernadette Dumas-Rymer,
How terribly sad and unfair it was to you to have to give up your child in secrecy. I can’t imagine the horror. Thank you for being so brave and so candid in relating your story. May God help you and bless you as you strive to help others in the same predicament!
Bernadette Chapman
North Vancouver