SAYING SORRY

Re The Theological Reason Why The Catholic Church Is Reticent To Apologize (June 11): Jeremy Bergen writes that in traditional Catholic theology, as the body of Christ, the church cannot sin. He says this explains why the church avoids a clear public apology for its residential schools role.

In my view as a Catholic, Mr. Bergen’s analysis aptly names theological sources of a defensive culture shaping much of the Catholic Church, but risks leaving Catholics with the erroneous and egregious view that Catholic theology prohibits apologizing for residential schools.

Catholicism teaches that God is revealed in history. Catholics should follow the moral imperative of listening and responding to survivors’ testimonies and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. They can refer to Catholic theology after the watershed event of Vatican II (1962-65), works such as Karl Rahner’s article “The Sinful Church in the Decrees of Vatican II” and others on ecclesial conversion.

Even simpler: Catholicism holds that reason and faith are compatible. When you do something wrong, apologize.

Susannah Schmidt Kitchener, Ont.

The Catholic Church is a religious institution. The RCMP is a law-enforcement institution. The Government of Canada is a political institution. No institution can apologize for past wrongs. And no institution should be called upon to do so. It is the individuals responsible who must show contrition. In many cases this is impossible, with the perpetrators long gone.

More importantly, an apology that is demanded from the head of an institution isn’t worth the breath with which it is uttered. It lacks sincerity. For an apology to matter it must be freely offered from the heart.

Ashok Sajnani Toronto