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The Press
July 6, 2002
Church
Letter to the Editor
by D.J.Round, Diamond Harbour
Fresh from crucifying Peter Ellis, we now embark on another witch-hunt, one
fuelled just as much by anti- Catholic feeling, and Press language more
appropriate to Steven King novels, as by evidence.
Crimes against children are inexcusable, and publicising them may well be
necessary. That does not justify attacking the structures of the Church and
misusing these tragedies to promote other agendas regarding clerical celibacy
and the ordination of women. Many Catholics strongly support the Church's
teaching on these issues, and they should be debated (if at all) on their own
merits.
Justice towards the Church as a whole requires that it not be judged by the
human failings of some of its members. Innumerable New Zealanders, myself
included, are eternally grateful to the religious who gave their lives to
educate them and care for them in various ways. As the welfare State declines
we might even need them again.
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