Response to Naming of Henry Morgentaler to Order of Canada

(July 10, 2008)

It is with dismay that we heard on July 1st that Dr. Henry Morgentaler was named to the Order of Canada. I do not believe that his high honour should be accorded to someone who has made it his ultimate goal to promote abortions in our nations and worldwide. We are fully aware that abortion is the willful killing of innocent life, and no argument for "free choice or personal freedom" gives anyone the right to take innocent life. I believe this committee has dishonored the Order of Canada with his nomination. I have written to the Governor General, the Prime Minister, and my local MPs expressing my objections to this nomination. I ask that you do the same.

Sincerely in Christ,

+ Fred Colli

Most Rev. Fred J. Colli,
Bishop of Thunder Bay

Opposition to Bill C-384

(Sept. 15, 2009)

Dear Mr. John Rafferty, MP
Thunder Bay-Rainy River:

In writing this letter to you I wish to express opposition to Bill C-384. This bill would amend the Criminal Code to permit euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada. I oppose the legalization and practice of euthanasia and assisted suicide on the grounds that they undermine the dignity of the human person by denigrating the dying process and by rejecting the community dimension of the person. I believe that euthanasia and assisted suicide are contrary to the practices of holistic health care, cannot be regulated to prevent abuses, and are inconsistent with Canada’s reputation as a protector of personal dignity and human rights.

I urge you to reject euthanasia and assisted suicide as a solution to the challenges posed by the suffering of terminally ill members of our society, and instead, to adopt policies and practices that promote access to comprehensive end-of-life care for all Canadians.

By attending to the needs of dying persons among them, Canadians can transform health care. By committing ourselves to compassionate palliative care, Canada could provide the world with yet another model and example to be imitated in the realm of health care. We have come a long way in our research in the area of pain control, and assisting those who are suffering, and modern medicine has the ways and means to assist all those in these circumstances.

I believe the development of policies that will give palliative and end-of-life care higher priority in our health care system — not the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide — is the way to ensure that people near death receive compassionate care and are able to die with dignity. As a Member of Parliament from my area, I ask you to consider seriously my objections and concerns. Thank you.

Sincerely,

+ Fred Colli

Most Rev. Fred J. Colli,
Catholic Bishop of Thunder Bay Diocese

Reaction to Situation involving Bishop R. Lahey

(Oct. 7, 2009)
 

My Dear People:

Over the past week, there have appeared many articles in our local newspaper and in the media, about the charges against Bishop Raymond Lahey, the former bishop of the Diocese of Antigonish in Nova Scotia.

Like you, I was shocked and dismayed to hear about these charges and the warrant for his arrest. My thoughts and prayers went out to the children and their families, and also to the people of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, who knew this man for many years and who trusted him.

Pornography, and in particular child pornography, is hurtful to all involved, especially the victim-children and their families. I cannot explain the sense of hurt and regret that I feel for them, and for all those involved in this terrible situation.

I ask that you pray for the children and their families and that you remember the people of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland who are hurt by this tragic turn of events and who knew this bishop for many years.

As a Church community we recognize that mercy and trust in God's faithfulness will carry us through any tragedy, and we pray that, in spite of human weakness and sin, this trust will renew our hope in the Church and its mission in this world.

Sincerely,

+ Fred Colli

Most Rev. Fred J. Colli,
Catholic Bishop of Thunder Bay Diocese

H1N1 Flu Virus

(October 13, 2009)

For the last several months, the diocese has been in communication with health officials to determine whether or not it is necessary to alter our liturgical practices, in light of current concerns regarding the spread of HINI influenza. To date, we have been informed that this is not required. It is important, however, that we remain diligent with preventative measures. We need to take note of the following reminders from our health officials which are practical and make common sense:

— Good hand hygiene is the best way to prevent the spread of all flu viruses. Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and often.

— Keep an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (gel or wipes) handy at work, home and in your car. It needs to be at least 60% alcohol to be effective.

— Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and dispose of the tissue. Cough into your upper sleeve if you don't have a tissue.

— Stay home when you are feeling sick or have a fever, out of respect for those around you.

— Keep common surfaces and items clean and disinfected.

In addition to these general recommendations from the health officials, I would ask everyone to be attentive to some particular points relating to our celebration of the liturgy:

— Parishes may wish to provide small hand cleaning stations near the entrances to the church with small bottles of a sanitizer.

— Priests, deacons and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are especially reminded of the need to practice good hand hygiene.

— Ministers of Holy Communion should always wash their hands before Mass begins. In some parishes, as a further precaution, hands are cleaned before and after distributing Holy Communion inconspicuously at a side table.

— The faithful should be instructed that if they feel ill, have a fever, or have been sick in recent days, they certainly should not receive communion on the tongue or from the cup. Of course, as noted above, if they are ill, they really should stay home.

— The Sign of Peace is an important part of our liturgical celebration. The usual custom is to express the Sign of Peace by shaking hands. It may, however, be preferable, especially in our present circumstances, to use another gesture, for example, by bowing and perhaps saying "Peace be with you." This is correct and acceptable.

We will continue to monitor the situation and, if necessary, adopt additional measures. We are stressing common sense and good hand hygiene at this time.

Sincerely in Christ,

+ Fred Colli

Most Rev. Fred J. Colli,
Bishop of Thunder Bay

 
Sexual Abuse Crisis

(April 15, 2010)

Over the past few weeks, in the midst of our great Easter celebrations, there were many articles in the news concerning the Pope and sexual abuse scandals in our Church. It seemed like the media wanted to headline any information that would or could accuse the Pope or the Catholic Church of inaction, indifference and a lack of concern for victims abused by priests. As horrendous as these crimes were and are, under the leadership of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, our Church has taken many important steps to eradicate this terrible behaviour in the ranks of our clergy and anyone working for the Church. Pope Benedict XVI, in particular, has spoken about and confronted this issue more than any other Pope of our time.

Many of the news articles dealt with issues from 20 to 30 years ago, and the priests who abused in the past have either died or been removed from ministry and the priesthood. Currently, men desiring to be priests in our Church are examined and assessed in a multitude of ways, throughout many years of training and formation, to make sure they will be faithful priests for the Church. The cases presented in the news during these past weeks seemed to indicate a new wave of sexual abuse in the Church, and this is definitely not true.

Every diocese in all of North America has a strict policy concerning this issue, and any credible allegations against a priest or anyone in the Church are taken very seriously. Our first and primary response is to help the victims and their families in whatever way we can. The accused priest is removed from ministry and in many cases never returns to ministry if found guilty. Proper civil authorities are always informed and strict procedures are always followed. Years ago, no one seemed to know how to respond to these cases. I am sure mistakes were made in the learning process and our response today is certainly much different than it was in the past. We have deepened our understanding and worked with civil, medical and Church persons to help us know what actions to take in these difficult situations.

The media failed to report that the Catholic Church, including the Canadian and American bishops, have come a long way in better understanding and combating this serious issue in our Church. I believe the presentations in many articles over the past weeks were incomplete, skewed and intentionally hurtful, especially to the Holy Father.

It was regretful that this entire episode of criticism was promoted during our Easter celebrations. It must have made it very difficult for many of our Catholic faithful to enter into the true spirit of this Easter time. However, the Spirit of the Lord keeps us strong and will see us through this episode and into the future. We will always work to improve our actions and to make sure that all people, especially children, are safe in our Churches.

Easter is a time of newness and new beginnings. Our Catholic faith is strong and I am convinced that our Church community will continue to live this faith in hope. May God bless us and give us courage and strength for our journey.

Sincerely in Christ,

+ Fred Colli

Most Rev. Fred J. Colli,
Bishop of Thunder Bay