We Catholics should stand tall

by Letters Editor · January 20, 2011

From Bernard Cole, Johannesburg

I must express my appreciation of Chris Moerdyk and The Southern Cross (December 29) for bringing to our attention the talk by Sam Miller, a Jewish businessman from America.

The talk is available in full on the website www.abyssum.wordpress.com. This website is also good to know about for the excellent articles presented; the meaning of Christmas would be a case in point.

Mr Miller�s defence is based on the fact that sexual deviation is not limited to Catholic priests and that the prevalence among other Christian clergy is considerably greater. The problem is that there are people out there that have a particular hatred of the Catholic Church which is exacerbated by the fact that bad news is always good news for the media.

Sam Miller also presents statistics on the achievements of Catholic schooling compared to government schooling. Discussing the monetary value of Catholic schooling, hospitals and clinics, he asks why people would want to get rid of the institution that provides schools, higher education, hospitals, that provides clothes, food and housing for the indigent, all at minimal or no cost to the taxpayer?

I agree with Mr Miller that it behooves Catholics to know these facts and I wonder whether the Southern African Catholic Bishops� Conference can provide similar current statistics for South Africa.

I know that it is the vogue to hang the Catholic head in shame, but I suggest that we stand tall, that we accept that no one, not even our priests are perfect, and proceed to be proud of our Church for its achievements, and put our energies into adding to those achievements.