Letters to the editor

Mennonite Brethren Herald welcomes your letters on issues relevant to the Mennonite Brethren Church, especially in response to material published in the Herald. Please keep your letters courteous, brief and about one subject only. We will edit letters for length and clarity. We will not publish letters sent anonymously, although we may withhold names from publication at the request of the letter writer and at our discretion. Publication is also subject to space limitations. Because the Letters column is a free forum for discussion, it should be understood that letters represent the position of the letter writer, not necessarily the position of the Herald or the Mennonite Brethren Church. Send letters to: Letters, MB Herald 1310 Taylor Ave. Winnipeg, Man.  R3M 3Z6 or send via e-mail. (Please ensure that your postal address is included in your e-mail correspondence.)

Nuclear family in danger of becoming extinct

Re “Single-parent families” (February). I cringe every time I hear the nuclear family referred to as “the traditional family.” It refers to the vestigial family left after the Industrial Revolution destroyed the traditional extended family in order to free individuals’ labour power for industrial production.

Over the course of history, the importance of the family in the individual’s life has gradually been replaced by social, political, and economic institutions; to the point that we say the state and corporations are our families.

Theologically, this will present hermeneutical challenges because God and our relation to the divine are represented in the Bible by family metaphors. Will our understanding of God and the church diminish in proportion to the diminishment and ultimate extinction of the family?

I believe that we can minister best to single-parent families out of the largest historical and social consciousness. Individuals’ concrete and immediate needs are reflections, in part, of historical social–structural changes that need to be addressed. To hear the modern nuclear family referred to as the traditional family does not encourage me to hope that this is happening.

Robert Siemens,
Abbotsford, B.C.

Discernment versus judgment

Re “Pray for Catholics’ salvation” (Letters, February). Isaak Eitzen’s letter confused me on a number of fronts. How can we demonstrate “love” and “respect” for Catholics when we dismiss our Mennonite World Conference representative’s gift to the Pope as “kissing up”? Was this gesture not given out of a genuine spirit of love and self-control?

I also question Mr. Eitzen’s speculation on the eternal destiny of Catholics. Are Christians called to judge in this manner, or are we called to be witnesses for Christ (Acts 1:8) and to make disciples (Matthew 28:19)? Does God need any help in recognizing his own?

Consider the maxim attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi: “Preach the gospel. And if necessary, use words.” Sister Luise, whose work in educating destitute African children receives funding from MCC’s Global Family Program, humbly exemplifies this principle. While she is grateful for prayers and support from Mennonites, we should feel blessed when Catholics such as her intercede for us.

Glenn Reimer,
Kitchener, Ont.

Promote loving dialogue between denominations

Re “Pray for Catholics’ salvation” and “In need of the gospel” (Letters, February). I want to express my dismay regarding two letters to the editor that make reference to the news that Pope Benedict XVI officially met with a group of Mennonites.

The MB Herald states that its purpose is to “nurture relationships and engage in dialogue and reflection.” Is any relationship-building or dialogue healthy if it remains completely inward looking? There is great health in continuing to remain open to all who are on a spiritual journey which may look somewhat different than a Mennonite Brethren approach.

The authors of the letters, in one way or another, accuse the members of the Roman Catholic denomination of being either hypocrites or pharisaical. This is disturbing to read. I have found in my own life that when I’m most tempted to accuse my brother or sister of a fault, the flaw more than likely rests in my own heart and attitude. Our call, as followers of the good news, is to love those around us. Words of accusation are a far cry from love.

I understand that the position of Anabaptists throughout our history regarding the Catholic church (of which Anabaptism is a renewal movement) is complex and has been coloured by many tragic events and decisions on both sides. I find it a welcome turn in our modern history that discussions can again be opened between the respective leaders of our denominations. A true expression of our peace position would be to engage heartily in discussions and restore a relationship which has, in the past, been broken.

Andrew Bergen,
Hepburn, Sask.