‘Marked by the cross’ has a different meaning

RECENTLY the ODT has run a series of articles entitled ‘‘Marked by the Cross’’.

It is right and proper that the topic of abuse and coverup is investigated and that people are held to account for their actions. However, I find the title extremely offensive.

I am not sure if the ODT understands the significance of the Cross within Christianity, or if it is just a catchy (and inaccurate) title used in ignorance.

Either way, the implications of the title tar all churches and Christians with the same brush; rather like saying some journalists invent their facts so all journalists create fake news.

These victims were not ‘‘marked by the cross’’ but abused by individuals within one small sector of the wider Christian Church.

In a biblical context, to be marked by the Cross would be to have understood what Christ did on the Cross and accept Him as Lord and Saviour.

That is somewhat different from the context your title infers.

David Tordoff Macandrew Bay

Let priests marry

I REFER to Fr Wayne Healey’s letter (ODT, 6.9.18).

Surely the time has come for the Pope to make a radical rule change and allow Catholic priests to get married?

Compulsory celibacy is not natural and I am sure that Catholicism, priests and parishioners would all benefit from having married priests.

Peter Mountain

Oamaru

FR Wayne Healey writes with rightful shame regarding childsex atrocities committed within the Catholic Church.

I have some advice for the Pope: allow his priests to marry and thereby enjoy natural human biological behaviour. After all, his medieval predecessors did so.

Pope Eugene IV’s son became Pope Paul II, and Paul IV was the son of Pope Leo X.