The Editor, Sir:

I commend the Vatican for restating some of the social sins of modernity. These sins are not exclusive to individuals but pertain to entire nations and governments that heap up excessive wealth, create a widening of the gap between the rich and poor, and contribute to the pollution of the environment.

More and more, we are living in society that rejects immutable principles. Reason dictates, however, that there must be objective standards for discerning the common good. Otherwise, democratic governments can authorise anything that any group in society asks for, as long as the group phrases the request in the language of 'rights'. Ultimately, you end up with anarchy.

Legislation

Already, we have seen the nihilistic yet impeccably democratic result of such contemporary legislation involving life itself. I am thinking here of legislation that legalises homosexuality, same-sex marriage, abortion, euthanasia, and genetic manipulation.

No one, in general, denies uni-versal moral principles such as those pertaining to life, liberty, and property. In the concrete, however, these positions are constantly violated and eroded by exceptions that negate the principle. These destructive exceptions which consume human dignity are always justified as a good end or purpose. They justify what is not able to be justified.

Man needs to rediscover the sense of sin, for it is a reality that he cannot escape.

I am, etc.,

PAUL KOKOSKI.

pkokoski@mountaincable.net

234 Columbia Drive

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada