The Observer, April 4, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 23
"New sins" represent new understanding
To the Editor:
Although the letters to the editor published last Friday regarding Ms. Roy's editorial were wonderful, I believe it would serve Ms. Roy to be further aware that she attacked people (not a big bad organization) with her anti-Catholic article published on Good Friday. Of many things, the Catholic Church is a body of human beings who publicly acknowledge that they are sinners and strive to become more perfect people. Even though we're not perfect, it doesn't mean Ms. Roy gets to flippantly denigrate our entire perspective on the world, not "just" our belief system. Here are the few over-arching principles that can be somewhat covered in 400 words.
As far as damnation goes, please find me a recent, official Church statement (in the last 200 years at least) "damning" anyone. As a matter of fact, the Church teaches that God offers forgiveness to anyone unconditionally at any time. Doesn't say damnation to me.
As the universe is unfolding over time from an evolutionary standpoint, so does what we understand as sinful and as religion as a whole. From a truly theological perspective: this unfolding of what is sinful is the enlightenment in what these things are, exactly, that alienate us from God...no kidding they will change with time! In enumerating these social sins, the hierarchy of the Church is not manufacturing new offenses but is bearing witness to roadblocks in the journey to God that were not as prevalent in the sixth century.
It's too bad, Ms. Roy, that you haven't responded to my e-mail request to meet and talk with you. Like many students who attend this university, I'm sure that you will go on to do great things. However, harboring such a lack of clarity on and hostility toward major issues such as the beliefs of one billion of the world's people, it makes me wonder if those misconceptions will hinder your endeavors in life. Therefore, I am going to ask again: would you like to sit and talk with me sometime? I can hypothesize various reasons as to why you wouldn't want to, but I promise it will be about openness and understanding – I'm certain you'll be able to enlighten me on a few things as well. As far as that goes, I would be happy to sit and intelligently discuss these issues with anyone – just ask.
Cecelia Ratay
Undergraduate student
