Letters

Headline (letter)

Michael Starr

Contents - Nov 2002 - Buy a copy now Editorial: The essential role of saints in the Church - Michael Gilchrist Independent inquiry exonerates Archbishop George Pell - Peter Westmore News: The Church Around the World - AD2000 Father Fessio: real US crisis is 'spiritual abuse' - Karl Maurer Australian Bishops' 'complaints protocol' used to uphold orthodoxy - Richard Egan Opus Dei founder Josemaria Escriva canonised at Papal Mass in Rome - AD2000 Report Sydney Archdiocese courses on 'Catechism' - Fr John Flader Catholic schools: restoring a sense of sin - Br John Moylan CFC Australian apologist Raymond de Souza's successful overseas lecture tour - AD2000 Report Events: The Fellowship of St Arnou to hold function in Melbourne Letters: Media war declared (letter) - Fr M. Shadbolt PP Letters: Embryo experimentation (letter) - Brian A. Coman Letters: Radical feminism (letter) - Gordon Southern Letters: Brisbane Synod (letter) - J.F. Nolan Letters: Anglican Church (letter) - Fr James Grant SSC Letters: Office of Bishop (letter) - Fr Brendan T. Walters MSC Letters: Headline (letter) - Michael Starr Letters: Birth control (letter) - Kevin Tighe Letters: Insulting TV program (letter) - K.L. Hanrahan Letters: Tough teachings (letter) - Mrs Maureen Federico Letters: Offertory prayers (letter) - John Mulholland Letters: Exorcists (letter) - Monica J. Hart Letters: EWTN (letter) - Jacqueline Donohue Letters: Anonymity (letter) - Narelle Mullins Books: The New Faithful: Why Young Adults are Embracing Christian Orthodoxy - Michael Gilchrist (reviewer) Books: Scripture Diary 2003 Books: Bernard Of Clairvaux: Essential Writings - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: A Generation Betrayed: Deconstructing Catholic Education, by Eamonn Keane - John Young (reviewer) Books: Ideal Christmas Gifts from AD Books Reflection: St Maria Goretti's 'perfect Christian death' - Mary Kenny

I was dismayed by the headline to your book review of Open Embrace: a Protestant Couple Rethinks Contraception in the September AD2000, "Contraception is not just a Catholic issue - it is a Christian one."

The blanket term "Christian" is increasingly used to cover only non-Catholic denominations and sects. Even the secular media regularly employ the phrase "Christian and Catholic" as though the former excluded the latter. Am I right to object? You bet! Try casually dropping "Christian and Protestant" at an ecumenical gathering if you want to ruffle some feathers.

I personally loathe the post-Reformation term of disparagement, "Roman Catholic". Along with other pejoratives such as Papist and Romanist, it came into common usage during the reign of Elizabeth I, and to this day reeks of sectarian bias. It is essentially an English phenomenon unknown in other cultures. The simple word "Catholic" cannot confuse or offend anyone.

The media over-use and have a preference for "The Vatican". Often, the more courteous and correct term is "The Holy See"; the former describes the pope's residence, while the latter describes his office and jurisdiction.

MICHAEL STARR
New Town, Tas