Readers express mixed feelings about the Forgiven Summit

Re: ‘First Nations forgiveness’ (July):

Forgiveness deriving from a religion-based initiative represents a small minority – and not the majority of aboriginal peoples.

This is especially true if that religion was derived from attending residential schools.

Stephanie M, by email

A famous president once said:

“I ‘choose’ to forgive, because            I need forgiveness.”

There is not one of us who does not need forgiveness. For a Prime Minister to admit we made mistakes regarding the aboriginal First Nations peoples took courage – and it takes courage to forgive.

I’m thankful many have chosen to forgive, because Canada is now on course to receive the healing these acts of forgiveness have set in motion.

The day is here, when all peoples of Canada speak with one voice – and share this great land as equal partners.

God bless the First Nations people of Canada – and God bless Canada!

Kevin Minor, by email

How can forgiveness be granted before the truth is heard?

The Forgiven Summit was not endorsed or even recognized by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada.

In fact, one wonders about the timing of the summit, coming immediately prior to the TRC’s first national event.

As a non-aboriginal Canadian, I do not accept or recognize this forgiveness’ – and as you know, neither do many First Nations across the land.

I do not feel ‘forgiven.’

Perhaps MP Rod Bruinooge should be more aware of his own government’s mandated Commission before supporting this bogus process.

Unless there is something more sinister at play . . . the government supporting a process that works at cross-purposes to its own publicly stated, court-mandated Commission, the TRC.

One is forced to wonder.

Lorraine Roach, by email

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I’m saddened by negative comments on the Forgiven Summit.

It’s not much different than what I hear all around me in the Downtown Eastside.

It’s the poison of bitterness. It keeps those who carry it in pain, and locked out of life.

I know there is a huge cost to forgiving – but freedom comes afterwards. Here’s to the courage to forgive, and to choose life!

Lynne Cawker, by email

Catholic ideas are misunderstood

Re ‘Catholicism an obstacle to unity’ (Readers’ Forum, May):

As a Protestant convert to Catholicism, I found that many of my objections to Catholic teaching and practice were misleading when I came to study the actual teachings of the Catholic church.

Ron Hutchison points out in his letter that Jesus is the only mediator – and rightly so.

The Catholic Church, on the other hand, teaches that Mary is an intercessor, just as we are intercessors. The misunderstanding lies in the choice of words.

With respect to Romans 3:23, Hutchison is referring to the doctrine of the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary. This scripture does not address original sin, but rather wilful sin. The misconception again revolves around a confusion of words – such as ‘all.’

The point I wish to make is that much of our division is in the misunderstanding of each other’s language. So, before we make statements about the beliefs of another tradition, we must inform ourselves as to what that tradition teaches, rather than quote hearsay.

David Huxley, White Rock

August 2010