Reckless attitude puts vulnerable at risk

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION

MY mother was, until recently, a resident of Southern Cross Care homes in Sandy Bay. My siblings and I witnessed the amazing staff taking all precautions to protect their loved residents from contracting the Covid virus.

During last year’s lockdown the staff made amazing efforts to enable residents to get comfort by providing access to their families via Zoom meetings and encouraged many other means of communication that provided relief for both families and their loved ones in care.

Once vaccination was available residents were prioritised, and depending on supply, then staff and finally frequent family visitors.

It is beyond my comprehension that Catholic clergy would even consider it their right to be unvaccinated and still have access to the vulnerable and elderly residents.

The clergy, along with other anti vaccination adults, can make their own choice, as that is their right.

However, to object to then not being able to visit the residents of aged care homes is in my opinion arrogant and inexcusable.

Perhaps Bishop Julian Porteous can explain to his laity the logic behind this objection?

In God’s name, Catholic clergy whose side are you on? It seems to me your own, not your God’s.

Patricia Hamer

Kingston

RELIGIOUS IRRELEVANCE COMMENTS made by Archbishop Porteous and others from the Australian Catholic Medical Association, concerning the possible exemption of Covid vaccinations of priests visiting the aged and elderly, is just another reason why so many people are shying away from religion and seeing it for what it really is in society.

Archbishop Julian Porteous supports calls for the conscientious objection to vaccinations by Catholic clergy.

The recent history of the church being cognisant of and not addressing child abuse within the religious system, until brave whistleblowers enlightened us all, is another reason for questioning religious faith. It’s quite clear that those involved within the church hierarchy, and may I also say within some areas of government, need to go back and study the foundation of their education – the Bible.

Raymond Harvey Claremont

FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

I NOTED with delight that Fr Paschal Corby wrote an article, rightly, in defence of freedom of conscience. I congratulate the paper for publishing it.

Quite apart from anything else, it is against the Australian Constitution to coerce people into having any medical procedure done.

Indeed, the compulsory vaccines for diseases other than Covid-19 are also unconstitutional, being a violation of Section 51, number 23A. Families with unvaccinated children are penalised about $14 per week from their family tax benefit.

Most of the government measures against Covid-19, as well a whole slew of other matters are also unconstitutional.

I would rather be dead of Covid-19 than live without the freedom I used to have and now require as a self-identifying Free Australian.

Louise Le Mottee Montrose

PORTEOUS IS WRONG

I AGREE entirely with those who spoke out against Julian Porteous’ request that priests who wish to be exempted from having the Covid immunisation, may do so.

I find it hard to believe that a supposedly educated leader of the Catholic Church in this state can want to put to risk the elderly and frail people in nursing homes because some priests (or one in particular) have a conscientious objection to having protective immunisations. They shouldn’t be in the priesthood if that’s their attitude. Doesn’t he listen to our Pope who said it was an act of love to be immunised. Where’s the love?

Who are the Catholic Medical Association members? Surely not doctors!

Thank goodness our Health Minister has the welfare of Tasmanians at heart.

Anne Cooper Blackmans Bay

UNCHRISTIAN ATTITUDE

IN answer to Rev. Dr. Paschal Corby “Respecting Sanctity of Conscientious Objectors”.

First of all I am a committed Christian and I have had my two AstraZenaca jabs. Why did I have them, to protect friends and family and maybe travel to see my grandchildren. Conscientious objectors have no right to impose their views on me or others.

This is a fight for the preservation of life to combat this Covid-19. Until we are all vaccinated there will be no freedom of travel/visiting relatives. It will happen that unvaccinated objectors will be banned from travel, dining, cinemas and maybe stores, you will not gain freedom. I realise that vaccinated people can still get Covid but it will be mild and most likely no hospitalisation plus infecting other people will be minimal. Let’s keep religion out of this, as said it is for the preservation of life and to get back to life as it was before. .

Lynda Simic

Howrah

JUSTIFYING DISCRIMINATION

SUB PAR SUBS

I CERTAINLY hope the new nuclear submarines planned don’t match the Collins Class and need to be crank-started. Hank Dikkenberg

Glenorchy

SMART SOLUTION RECIDIVISM trajectory research (Greg Barns, Mercury, September 13) recommends proactive earlier intervention with children and their families (pregnancy to 5 years). Therapeutic intervention earlier is smart justice and smart economics.

Sally Mollison

Howrah

SOLID DEFENCE

SUE Carlyon (Dodgy decision, Letters, September 4) could not be more wrong. Played properly, cricket is civilising. It is one of few sports where an opposition player is enthusiastically applauded for good effort. It is a great pity that Australia did not host more games and contact with Afghanistan cricket. They should be welcomed and encouraged now more than ever.

Brian Austen South Hobart

STILL TEACHING

IAN Cole was a good teacher at New Town High school 50 years ago when I attended there. I am still learning from him through his sensible comments in his Mercury articles.

Jim Connolly Lewisham

POLLY WANTS CRACKER What's the difference between a Galah and Gutwein. Nothing really. One squawks about missing out on bigger GST payments. The other squawks all the time.

Tony Geeves Rosetta

GREEN OPTION