To adore Mary is idolatry

THE EDITOR: This is in response to Ms Durham’s letter on the public displaying of the weeping statue of the Virgin. I am neither for nor against this, but I am for truth.

I quote from her letter, “...for public viewing and adoration....where adoration to our weeping Mother....less and less public adoration.” Roman Catholics do not adore Mary, and they certainly do not adore statues. The Virgin Mary is the Mother of Jesus, and like Jesus we honour and love her. To adore Mary, who is a creature of God, is idolatry. Another quote, “We need to console her now.” Mary is not weeping because she wants to be consoled. She is weeping and because of the godlessness of our people and the world at large. She wants all people to give up their immoral ways and turn back to God. To mention just two examples, the disintegration of family life as God set it up, and the enactment of immoral laws by some governments. I agree with Ms Durham, this is a time for deep prayer and devotion, and I add fasting and penance. For those who have eyes to see, there is no need for extraordinary signs. The signs are all around us. God sends extraordinary signs for the faithless. Those of us who love and live for God know what we have to dy; we must let our lives show God’s presence in our land.

MARIA  DE  CASTRO
Woodbrook