Sept. 15, 2000 Letter from Toronto CWL spiritual directors

WORLD MARCH OF WOMEN 2000

Letter from Toronto Region Spiritual Directors

The Catholic Women's League of Canada
Toronto Archdiocesan Council
Sponsor
His Eminence Aloysius Cardinal Ambrozic
Archbishop of Toronto

September 15th, 2000
Feast of the Triumph of the Cross

Dear Fellow CWL Spiritual Directors:

We, the regional spiritual directors of the Toronto Catholic Women's League are writing to you to help clarify some of the problems that have arisen as a result of the CWL support of the March of Women 2000. As you know this has led to serious division and contention within the League. We have asked Fr. Tom Lynch of St. Augustine's Seminary to prepare a background paper on the issues. After reflection on Cardinal Ambrozic's and Bp. DeAngelis' letters and other information from many sources and in view of the upcoming fall regional meetings, we would wish to put forward several suggestions for both short-term and long-term action to share with your League members.

SUGGESTIONS FOR ACTION

IMMEDIATE STEPS

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We need to seriously undertake to pray for each other so as to effect conciliation. It is difficult to discern or explain motives at times and we need the active wisdom and understanding of the Holy Spirit in all our actions.
We should take whatever steps are necessary in the brief time remaining before the March of Women petition is presented to Parliament and the UN (Oct. 15-17) to make our disagreement known and re-affirm our commitment to life, marriage and family and disengage from public support of contrary demands at the various levels of the League.
Public re-affirmation of the League's support of our commitment to life, marriage and family is necessary.

LONG RANGE STEPS

The difficulties arising over the process of this debate calls for a revision of the process by which public stands are taken fro the League and by its spokespersons
Review of structures by which leaderships at National and Provincial levels relate to league members at the level of local churches (dioceses and parishes).
Councils and individuals who have suffered in this debate must be listened to and a conciliation process begun so as to overcome divisions and to seek continuing unity.
The role and place of the CWL within the Church should be clarified.
The position of spiritual directors needs review.
Renewed teaching as to these complex moral issues need to be undertaken by the League so as to be more appropriately prepared in the future.

CONCLUSION

It is with sadness that we have seen the division and confusion within our councils and country. It is a sign of the seriousness with which these fundamental issues are taken. We offer this letter to you in our role as spiritual directors for your prayerful consideration and action.

For God and Canada,
Your Brothers in Christ,

REV. NINO CAVOTO
Archdiocesan Spiritual Advisor

REV. JUDE COYLE
Durham Region

REV. PAUL SALEH
Humber Region

REV. LIBORIO AMARAL
North York Region

REV. JEFF MASTERSON
Northern Region

REV. KEITH WALLACE
Peel Region

REV. JOHN DUFFY
Scarborough Region

REV. JIM REPOSKEY
Toronto Region

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