For all of you who came to the Parish Meeting at St. Martin’s High School – for all of the 300+
people who were concerned enough for the spiritual health and the future of St. Martin of Tours
Parish to attend and participate in the meeting – for all who had hopes and aspirations that the
voice of the people might be heard, we have to say that it appears this may not happen. The
Bishop stated in para.3 of his letter of June 23rd, that “a Parish Council will soon be
established to represent all members of the parish community and to provide a forum
for advice and counsel”. The Bishop has now reneged on that statement as per his impromptu
meeting with a parishioner this week in which he stated that the Parish Council will be established
solely to do the bidding of the pastor.
At this meeting the Bishop reiterated his full support for the pastor. He refused to look at the video
of the Parish Meeting that was sent to him, and apparently read only a portion of the minutes.
The concerns expressed at the Parish Meeting were not, in our opinion, given due consideration.
Some of his comments were:
“The pastor was appointed by God”
“The Parish Council will take months to set up” (how many more – and why?)
“The Parish Council will do only what the pastor wants”
In other words, the Bishop is intent on keeping the status quo. Summer time is vacation
time, but this should not mean that serious problems and important issues should be ignored.
They have to be addressed – not swept aside as if of no importance. We know that many
parishioners have had serious issues and problems in arranging for baptisms, marriages,
funerals. All those who have run into roadblocks with pastoral care and counselling, visiting the
sick in hospital, attempting to get a required letter of reference (teachers) or simply trying to have
a passport application signed – all these people need their concerns addressed. They need to
know that the harassment will cease. These issues cannot be hidden behind the Choir/Music
Director situation. We request that parishioners put these concerns in writing and forward them to
the Cardinal and the Bishop, and continue to send/give a copy to one of the undersigned.
The silence at the 9 am, 10.30 am and 12 noon Masses continues to be deafening, while the 5 pm
Saturday liturgy continues as usual.
The parish belongs to us, the parishioners. We must count for something, or is it just our
money that counts? Now that the new school year will shortly commence, rest assured that we
have a strategy in waiting. We have been told that “it’s over” – it is certainly NOT over.
Are YOU content with the present unsatisfactory situation? Or do you wish to see it
settled? If so, we suggest that parishioners continue to withhold contributions until the
impasse in our parish is satisfactorily resolved. Please continue your prayers.
Go to the website www.saveourparish.com to obtain the names and addresses of worthy charities
(listed in “Archive” week 9, July 31) and to view other circulars.
“You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great
men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great
among you must be your servant”. Mark 10.42
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Email:bishop.boissonneau@rogers.com Fax: 416 207-4984.
His Eminence, Aloysius Cardinal Ambrozic, Fax: 416 934-3452.
For more information, contact:
Anna Jushkevich 905 279-7822 Patricia Russell 905 279-9205
Pat DeAngelis 416 809-1819 Yvonne Zirnhelt 905 897-3452
Lucy Pires 905 273-6093 Dunstan Bazely 905 275-3946
Aisling Egan 416 671-4710
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CANON LAW v “CANNON LAW”
Canon Law is the body of codified laws governing the affairs of the Church.
“Cannon Law” is the right of might –
What are the rights and duties of the faithful under Canon Law?
In this week’s newsletter we continue to list sections of Canon Law pertaining to the
faithful.
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THE OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS OF ALL CHRIST'S FAITHFUL (Cann. 217 - 223)
Can. 217 Since Christ's faithful are called by baptism to lead a life in harmony with the gospel
teaching, they have the right to a christian education, which genuinely teaches them to strive for
the maturity of the human person and at the same time to know and live the mystery of salvation.
Can. 218 Those who are engaged in fields of sacred study have a just freedom to research
matters in which they are expert and to express themselves prudently concerning them, with due
allegiance to the magisterium of the Church.
Can. 219 All Christ's faithful have the right to immunity from any kind of coercion in choosing a
state in life.
Can. 220 No one may unlawfully harm the good reputation which a person enjoys, or violate the
right of every person to protect his or her privacy.
Can. 221 §1 Christ's faithful may lawfully vindicate and defend the rights they enjoy in the Church,
before the competent ecclesiastical forum in accordance with the law.
§2 If any members of Christ's faithful are summoned to trial by the competent authority, they have
the right to be judged according to the provisions of the law, to be applied with equity.
§3 Christ's faithful have the right that no canonical penalties be inflicted upon them except in
accordance with the law.
Can. 222 §1 Christ's faithful have the obligation to provide for the needs of the Church, so that the
Church has available to it those things which are necessary for divine worship, for apostolic and
charitable work and for the worthy support of its ministers.
§2 They are also obliged to promote social justice and, mindful of the Lord's precept, to help the
poor from their own resources.
Can. 223 §1 In exercising their rights, Christ's faithful, both individually and in associations, must
take account of the common good of the Church, as well as the rights of others and their own
duties to others.
§2 Ecclesiastical authority is entitled to regulate, in view of the common good, the exercise of rights
which are proper to Christ's faithful.
