DEAR EDITOR: Having read in the Vision pullout Sunday, February 26, page 7 “In defence of Wendy” I wish to share a few points for the writer of the article Jhamille JC Asson to consider.

I agree with you that it is very difficult in our society for someone in public light to strive with all the negative criticism and lack of encouragement especially when things are not looking rosy.

The critics always know better even though they are not doing anything, but “talk cheap” is a true saying. Living the truth is difficult but it is something all Christians are called to face and yes, sometimes we fall yet we must get up and strive again.

In light of your article I humbly ask for the following to be considered. It was written, “having a child out of wedlock is morally wrong according to the teachings of our Catholic Church”. Why does the Church teach that? What does the Bible say about fornication? What does the Bible say about adultery?

It was also stated, “Another thing for which we were always proud of Wendy is that she always voiced her opinion…now when she says that in her opinion having a child out of wedlock is not that bad once you are in a steady relationship with someone we get angry”. I ask that you read John 8:47 “ a child of God listens to the words of God ”.

It is not a question of our opinion or our feelings, it is about our covenant with God. And very important, the ideal is to have both mother and father in the home as both make a significant contribution to the holistic development of a child.

There are circumstances that result in single parenting but it should not be a desired outcome if one wants the best for one's offspring.

What is a sacrament? Why is marriage a sacrament? “Responsibility”, “role model”, what do these words mean? There is something called absolute truth and we are called to seek that truth and when found, we live it and share it.

Christ came so that we may have an abundant life. Always seek truth that is lasting, feelings are fleeting. At one time, Jhamille, I would have agreed totally with you but then I found truth. There are many distortions that may lead one to making wrong choices.

For example, a pregnant person is told, “it is your body so you can choose to abort” this is a total lie, the child in her is not part of her body but a uniquely different person, also your body belongs to God purchased at a price. What is your source of reference?

The Bible should be your main source; Bible is an acronym B asic I nstructions for B etter L iving E very day. Ephesians 4:17 -24, 5 :1-14 are two short passages that you may read.

Thomas Wallace, St Joseph

DEAR EDITOR: The rage of Hurricane Ivan tested the faith of many in Grenada. The temptation was to claim that one could not reconcile the existence of a benevolent and omnipotent God with the destruction caused by Ivan.

Scandals within the Church also test the faith of Catholics. For example, the Church's participation in slavery, the corruption that played an important role in the coming of the Reformation and the recent publicity given to the misbehaviour of paedophile priests test our faith.

At such times and also at times of personal crises in our lives we ought to pray: Lord increase our faith. And to remind ourselves and meditate upon these words from Joshua 1:5: I will be with you…I will never leave you…and forsake you.

The Church has publicly admitted past and present wrong doing within its very core. For example, Popes Paul VI and John Paul II have issued public apologies for the Church's role in slavery and for the persecution of Galileo.

The head of the Anglican Church has recently apologised for his Church's participation in the slave trade, 2006 being the 200 th anniversary of the passage of the law abolishing the slave trade. And in the RC Church's Liturgy of the Hours, Thursday morning of Week IV we pray to the Lord: “ Bless your Church wounded in its members. ”

Let us remember that the Liturgy of the Hours or Breviary is the official prayer of the Church for priests, religious and laity.

The continued existence and vitality of the RC Church despite storms like Ivan that have battered it from within and without is due to the Holy Spirit being the heart and soul of the Church.

Hence this claim from a philosopher of science that there is something mysterious within the Church: “The development of Christianity, early and late, is one of the mysteries of the world; it is the sacred mystery in the highest sense. The events, which guided the Church and caused its final triumph in the face of innumerable calamities are so incredible, or call them miraculous, that Christian apologists have used them as clinching proofs of the truth and supremacy of their faith."

Gordon A St Bernard, St George's , Grenada