I have given some thought to the Vatican document Fiducia Supplicans, and I think it is necessary to distinguish between its theoretical directives and its likely practical effects, particularly with regard to homosexual couples.
Theoretically, clergy will only bless the good and beautiful aspects of a relationship between two people, without endorsing cohabitation or homosexual activity or unions.
Practically speaking, however, I suspect that clergy will fall into three groups.
Some liberal and heterodox clergy will likely treat these blessings as de facto homosexual “marriages,” leading many into further sin.
Other clergy may have orthodox views of sexual morality but will not sufficiently emphasize and distinguish the differences between the blessing of the friendship and the rejection of homosexual behaviours, which will just confuse the faithful.
And finally, many orthodox clergy will likely refrain from giving any blessings at all for fear of causing scandal.
Thus, I think it likely that whatever the intentions of the authors, this document will likely result in no one being led to the truth of the Catholic faith, and many others being led into confusion or further sin and error.
William Waddacor
Surrey
As the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops said, “While explicitly affirming the Church’s traditional understanding of marriage, Fiducia Supplicans allows pastors to bless people who freely request a blessing, seeking divine help to live in fidelity to God’s will. The Declaration makes clear that such blessings must be directed to the persons themselves rather than their situation and that they must be spontaneously requested and are not ritual or liturgical actions.” — Editor
I was reading a prayer book during adoration which had a line about listening to Jesus as to what he wanted me to do for him.
I paused and closed my eyes and listened and it seemed the only thing I heard was to say the Rosary daily.
I waited for other things which seemed more important, such as getting along better with others, but only the daily Rosary prayer seemed to stand out. So, I started saying the Rosary daily and I realized that by doing that I seem to be getting along better with others.
I realized that I needed Jesus in my life more to accomplish these other difficult tasks. I realized that daily prayer keeps me closer to Jesus and so it is easier to deal with life’s challenges.
Ann Jones
New Westminster
The following is a transcript of a phone call we received. The caller has given us permission to publish it — Editor
My name is Toshio Rahman, and I’m a resident of Vancouver. I’m actually not a Christian or a Catholic myself. I’m a Muslim, but I have a very good friend, and we grew up together for the last 20 years, and he’s Catholic. We have a really great relationship. He used to take me to church on Sundays; I took him to the mosque on Fridays, and we just built a love for one another – a real interfaith relationship, and I have a great love for my Christian and specifically Catholic brethren.
The reason I’m calling is because this morning I was reading about what’s been happening in Israel and Palestine, and I read that they had bombed Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches, and also some parishioners from both the churches had also passed away. This is in addition to the Palestinian Muslims. It just really affected me and touched my heart. I always felt houses of worship should always be off-limits.
I just wanted to call and offer my condolences and my support. Like I said, I have a really great relationship with Catholicism, and people have been very friendly to me and the Muslim community that I came from, vice versa to my friend and his family. So, I feel like we are partners and brothers, and I just wanted to see if there’s anything that I could do to help the community.
I’ve been trying to call my MP to call for a ceasefire. It’s been a real uphill struggle. I know that the Pope has called for one, and I just wanted to see if you have had any success and if there’s anything we can do to help, my family and I.
I’m not 100 per cent sure why I called, but it did affect me, and I just wanted to call and convey my condolences and support and hopefully we can get to a place of peace, speak, and come to the end of this madness.
Thank you so much.
We read with great interest two letters to the editor in the January 8, 2024, edition of the BCC regarding the “corridor” which will connect St. Paul’s Hospital with a medical facility, the purpose of which is to put patients to death at their prior request through the MAiD protocols of the Province of British Columbia. We agreed completely with these letters.
Public information about this arrangement has suggested that St. Paul’s is in no way aiding or abetting MAiD. We fail to see the validity of that suggestion. The “corridor” physically connects the two buildings. Are patients discharged from St. Paul’s Hospital before they enter that corridor? Do St. Paul’s staff assist the patient down that corridor?
Does signage clearly indicate that the patient has physically left St. Paul’s? We must not only do what is right; we must also appear to be doing what’s right. As far as we can see, St. Paul’s Hospital does not appear to be doing what’s right.
Bernie and Janice McCabe
Saanichton
Thank you for your coverage of Amongst God’s Own, The Enduring Legacy of St. Mary’s Mission, now republished as St. Mary’s: The Legacy of an Indian Residential School, starting with Terry O’Neill’s coverage last year. It left no stone unturned and was engaging, well-written, and full of solid research.
A little history: I refused this publishing job when it was first proposed to me by Bill Williams, manager of Mission Indian Friendship Centre, the copyright holder – back in 2001. I only accepted it after reflecting on the fact that St. Mary’s had saved our family following a devastating tragedy in 1957. St. Mary’s had hired my mother as a teacher, a recent immigrant with three babies from England. (Father had arrived a few months earlier).
After the tragic death of our father, our mother was able to continue to support the family as a result of her St. Mary’s job. Taking on this book project seemed like an opportunity to “complete the circle” and perhaps give back, so I took on this very sensitive project.
After voicing one of my conditions to Bill Williams that Terry Glavin must be the narrative writer, Glavin refused the job!
Pestering him and sending him documents, he finally relented! Considering Glavin had only a two-month window and few adequate materials from which to work, he not only delivered what I believe to be a thorough, heartfelt, and honest account of a hugely controversial topic, but also has added a historical depth that too often gets left out or forgotten.
His five-chapter narrative complements the courageous words of the 45 former students who form the backbone of this book, thanks to Philomena Fraser, the interviewer and a former student.
Ann Mohs
Publisher
Longhouse Publishing
Mission
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