DEAR EDITOR: I would like to add my comments to the debate on the rights of homosexuals.

•  The Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets out, in a number of articles, those rights that are Human, i.e. belonging to all because they are in the category of Human.

•  The demand of Our Lord to love one's neighbour as oneself, covers all people and particularly those excluded by the society or in need.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights binds all States and “Love your Neighbour” binds all of the Abrahamic tradition and particularly in its extension by Our Lord, all Catholics.

Following from this, homosexuals have the same right as heterosexuals to all political rights, to all economic rights and to all cultural rights.

They also have the same right as heterosexuals to our love, our understanding and a particular call on our charity and compassion because they are often among those excluded by the society and who may be in particular need.

Where there is a seeming discrimination it is on the question of sexual relationships. These for Catholics are only permitted within marriage, and marriage for Catholics is linked to procreation.

Whether one is heterosexual or homosexual, sexual relationships outside of marriage are forbidden.

Where therefore “rights” are intrinsically related to the establishment of the nuclear family i.e., man, woman and children, those rights are not available to homosexuals and not ordinarily available to single persons.

However, Catholics unlike other religions with the exception of Buddhists, consider that the single life offers a parallel and equal method of sanctification to that of the married life. Homosexuals are therefore in no way discriminated against in their access to grace.

We demand of them no more than we demand of the many single Catholics who are, and sometimes choose to be, celibate. I would hope that his helps to clarify the debate.

“Sex” is too often given a hysterical place that it, quite frankly, doesn't deserve. Far too often “sex” is placed above the commandment to love as Jesus, and therefore God, loves. This was also the temptation of good and pious Jews, during the time of Jesus.

Jesus refused it. Rather in the woman at the well or in the woman caught in adultery, sexual sins were transformed by Our Lord, into the opportunity to teach a lesson beyond sex.

It is Mary Magdalene, the prostitute, who becomes the symbol of “loving much” and through the woman about to be stoned, the grace of forgiveness on the cross is foreshadowed.

In this sex-obsessed country, it may well be time to return to Our Lord's example.

Marion O'Callaghan, Woodbrook

PS Since writing this the “Instruction” concerning the criteria for the discernment of vocations with regard to persons with homosexual tendencies in view to their admission to the Seminary and Holy Orders has been released.

It is the first time that it has been found necessary to issue clear regulations governing admitting homosexuals to the ordained ministry.

I have greeted the document with sadness for I have little doubt that the so-called sexual revolution, the relativism of values and the construction of separate cultures have made these specific guidelines necessary. The document stresses “maturity”.

Perhaps that is where we all have much to do in a world where relationships are no longer incipiently sexual but cover a spectrum from home, to work, to friendship to the pilgrimage to the Everlasting Light.

In this homosexuals need our loving, our concern and our prayers, and the world our witness.

DEAR EDITOR: I would like to thank the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre for presenting the recent series of Know Your Faith lectures at Marian Hall, Holy Name Convent in Port of Spain .

These lectures, entitled “The Apostles' Creed”, were conducted by Fr Henry Charles who is indeed a very learned person. He has a masterful command of the knowledge of Church History and Catholic theology. May I be so bold as to suggest that he would make an excellent cardinal attached, say to the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

In closing, I wish Fr Charles and my fellow participants a very Merry Christmas.

Brian Noreiga, D'Abadie

DEAR EDITOR: On October 26,1991 , Errol Fabien was the lecturer on the healing power of humour at Amphitheatre A, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex at a workshop called “The Art of Creative Healing for Cancer Survivorship”.

Recently, I had the privilege of a “private retreat” when I chose to look at Gayelle. I was treated to a programme that taught me to make Christmas decorations from plastic soft drink bottles and a thought-provoking session on a Santa who brought socks and underwear year after year.

As I turned off the TV I proceeded to make a tableful of decorations with a renewed energy from a local television production that facilitated a time to laugh and a time to create.

I wish the management and staff of Gayelle a blessed and joyful Christmas and I recommend as a new year resolution looking at Gayelle.

Shireen Dewan-Mc Ken, Newtown