Letters: Footsteps of Popes

Sydney
9 February 2003

Lawyers have role to play in pursuit of peace - Nuncio

War not an option yet: Dr Pell

Cleric who gave world a Lifeline

Crash 'reminds us of fragile hold on life'

Aid to Solomons

Asbestos in archdiocese schools 'under control'

New courses planned on Scripture, Catechism

Charity founder was 'greatest beggar of the century'

Hecklers disrupt talk on help for homosexuals

First batch of 'early offer' teachers hit the blackboards

Lay theologians: Key role to play in Africa

Canada Bay names top citizen

Sant'Egidio, the parish group that grew and grew

Unexplained mysteries in our tale of two cities

Perth's 'weeping statue'

Editorial: The Medjugorje story

Letters: Footsteps of Popes

Conversation: Fr John Harvey, founder of Courage - You need friends if you want a life of chastity

Church? It's about people who care

Morality ... and a war against Iraq

Canada's bishops join anti-war chorus

Peace, peace, peace - that's the message from Medjugorje

Churches together under one roof

Letters: Footsteps of Popes

Thank God for Pope John Paul II, the bishops of the United States, the

British bishops, some English Anglican bishops, Irish Bishop Walsh of Killaloe, the Philippines Bishops' Conference, Iraqi Bishop Al Jamil, some Australian bishops, the Jesuit editors of Civilta Cattolica, Fr Bruce Duncan, Chaplain Gary Stone and other Christians whose names escape me.

While in today's feverish rush to wholesale murder of innocent men, women and children, to the killing and maiming of American, British and Australian military personnel, their voices are drowned out by the beating of the war drums by the Pentagon war lords; they are standing up for God against Mars, the god of war.

I wonder whether the Governor of Florida, Jed Bush - a recent convert to Catholicism - has read John Paul II's recent pronouncements to Catholics in politics, to the diplomats to the Holy See, to journalists for World Communications Day and to the world for World Peace Day and whether he has mentioned them to brother George W. I doubt it.

All power to Fr Bruce Duncan and his crusade. I well remember him in the 70s and 80s when, stationed in Sydney, he was a frequent contributor to The Catholic Weekly on matters of social justice. He was regarded in some quarters then as a 'rebel'. Today he is a leader in the footsteps of Bl John XXIII and John Paul II.

As the Poles sing to John Paul II - So Lat (may you live to 100 years) - so we should hope that Fr Bruce lives for many more years to continue preaching God's Word. Multos Annos, Fr Bruce.

Dr Joe Morley
Lane Cove, NSW

STEM CELL MURDER

What a pity Christopher Reeve and Bob Carr cannot see that embryonic stem cell research is the murder of human beings.

W Kline
Chippendale, NSW

POLITICAL MORALITY

With reference to Vatican Guide to Politicians (CW 26/1) and the duties of Catholics not to divorce their political and moral life, I wonder how many other Catholics share my angst when it comes to voting in state and federal elections.

While personal inquiries to politicians about pro-life matters usually elicit non-committal replies, right-to-life organisations provide us with lists of politicians who have voted against pro-life issues.

Eliminating these MPs from my vote is easy, regardless of how effective they may be on social and environmental issues.

The big "but" arises when politicians respecting the basic right to life from conception to natural death begin trumpeting suspicion, discrimination and alienation on those of a different religious persuasion (particularly Muslims) in our society.

In such cases one feels left hovering between the devil and the deep blue sea.

The only solution seems to be (to paraphrase Shakespeare): "A plague on all your houses".

E Spiteri
Gymea, NSW

CONTRADICTION

Bede McKinnon writes (CW 26/1) defending the notion that "the whole of mankind belongs to one religion, the religion of man".

This contradicts the teachings of the Bible and the tradition of God's Church.

Pope Pius IX wrote: "Strive as much as you can to drive from the minds of men that impious and fatal opinion, namely, that the way of eternal salvation can be found in any religion whatsoever" (Singulari quadem).

Even the Second Vatican Council said: "It is only in the mystery of the Word lncarnate that light is shed on the mystery of man" (Gaudium et Spes, 22).

The Bible teaches: "No other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus" (1 Corinthians, 3:11).

And again: "There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Arnold Jago
Mildura, NSW

FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS

During the traumatic times in Canberra, with its disastrous fires, I heard reports of children seen lighting fires. How, we may ask, could anyone continue to light fires after seeing the devastation caused?

Why, in this technologically advanced society, are some of our children so wayward and rebellious?

Maybe the blame lies with us, i.e. those of us who call ourselves Christian. Maybe it's time to look up the instructions our Maker has given us on how to live, how to bring up our children, to benefit the whole community, not just ourselves

Some of his instructions for living are in these quotes: "If my people who bear my name humble themselves, pray and look for me and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins and restore their land" (2 Ch 7:14).

"Turn over into the temple treasury the tenth part of all, that there may be food in my House. Then you may test me, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open the gates of heaven and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. I will drive away the locusts, that they may not devour your fields, that your vines may not wither" (Malachi 3:10-12).

"Love one another as I have loved you" (Jn 5:12).

"Do to others as you would have them do to you" (Lk 6:31).

"Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you, pray for those who persecute you" (Lk 6.27).

"If you love me, you will obey my commandments" (Jn 14:15,21).

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, (mind) and strength" (Deut 6:5, Mk l2:30).

"Love your neighbour as yourself" (Lev 19:18).

"Do to others as you would have them do to you" (Lk 6:31).

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" (Prov 22:6).

"Do not withhold discipline from a child. If you beat him with a rod, he will not die. If you beat him with the rod you will save his life from hell" (Prov 23: 13-14).

We need to ask ourselves: Are we living this?

If not are we partly responsible for giving Satan's forces legal right to wreak havoc in the world?

Col Robens
Young, NSW