THE EDITOR: There have been numerous references in the Catholic News in the past several weeks to "the secular world". Invariably the references characterise that "secular world" as something pretty evil, the cause, in large part, of most of the ills of the world, and of Trinidad in particular.

There are several dictionary meanings of "secular", and it's not always clear which of those the Catholic News has in mind when it uses it, but the two most likely are: "non-religion based or affiliated", and "material".

Taking the first meaning, the articles would seem to propose that if only society adopted religious-based values, the problems would be solved. It pains me to allude to this evidence to the contrary, but it was the Pope himself, during his recent visit to the USA, who acknowledged that there has been widespread sexual misconduct by clergy.

Now, those clergy were anything but "secular" in their training, profession and commitment, yet they went wrong. Lest the reader think I am anti-clergy, let me acknowledge that I grew up in a clerical milieu, that priests, particularly those at St Mary's College, were the most formative influences in my life, that I am perpetually thankful to them and will always defend their virtue, intelligence and dedication.

As for the second definition, one cannot deny that much of Creation is material, that is, "secular", and it serves no purpose to deny that we live in a "secular" world that demands secular responses and secular solutions. Law and order are maintained largely by laws and codes of behaviour formulated without reference to religious values, or which predated religious dogma. 

Most crimes are a result of failure to manage the needs and stresses of material everyday living. The knowledge and tools to achieve that management can be acquired at the secular level: think of traffic laws, or how to mange the household budget or a failed romantic relationship. 

We have to deal with the material world, not reject it. We can't pretend to escape it. 
It is only minimally correct to maintain, as your editorial of April 20 does, that: "a breakdown in family life and indifference – a “culture of death” (is) facilitated by the rapid development of technology."

It is also incorrect to hold that: "developing status means (is) that our people find themselves caught in a vortex of social pressures, both from within and without."

The newspaper reports of the serious crimes and misery in Trinidad almost always show that they involve people who are uneducated or minimally educated. I mean by that not just academic education, but knowledge of how the secular world operates and how to deal with it in practical terms.

This type of education is not exclusively based on a religious value system. It was unacceptable for parents to kill their offspring before that became religious dogma. So was incest. Both of these values are observed even by most animals and primitive societies. 

People need practical solutions to practical problems, not abstract concepts which they cannot even begin to understand.
Louis Sellier, Seattle, WA, USA

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Antilles Episcopal Conference has defined secularisation and secularism in the following ways:
secularisation: an historical process of social, cultural and political emancipation by which organised society is freed from the control/dominance of religious institutions and symbols.
secularism: an excessively autonomous view of humanity and the world which is entirely self-explanatory without an reference to God.
The bishops state further: "It (secularisation) has made believers vulnerable to secular values which they would have easily recognised and rejected even in the recent past. The proponents of the secularising/desacralising agenda are still trying to facilitate an even deeper separation of Faith and Culture which will, almost certainly, lead to secularism" (Pastoral Letter on the Ministry of Catechesis, Art. 7).

DEAR EDITOR: Hundreds of new members joined the 1.2 billion Catholic populations around the world last Easter Sunday after being initiated into the Church through the Rite of Acceptance and Holy Baptism. According to the Official Catholic Directory, almost 64,500 catechumens and almost 93,000 candidates joined the Church at the various Easter Vigil Midnight Masses throughout the world.

The Catholic Church is indeed a Church that is attracting people far and wide of varying classes, creeds and world religion. I could remember my return back home to the Catholic Church about two years ago. It is after all the universal Church for all people and for all times.A blessed and joyous Easter season to all!

Leon Suseran, Church of Ascension, New Amsterdam, Berbice, Guyana

DEAR EDITOR: This message is for our new parish priest, Fr Vincent Esprit FMI. Congratulations on behalf of my family. We all wish you a good long stay in both our parish churches, St John the Baptist, San Juan and Holy Family, Mt Lambert.

These words from a poem found in the Std 3 West Indian Reader are for you Fr Vincent: “Lives of great men, all remind us that we should make our lives, sublime, and departing leave behind us footprints on the sands of time.”
Michael & Theresa Mc Millan, Park Ave, Mt Hope, San Juan