Thursday, March 01, 2007

Seeing licensed gambling establishments popping up in the St. Paul Diocese,
Bishop Luc Bouchard decided to speak out. "If the bishop doesn't do it, who
will?" Bouchard told the WCR. On Ash Wednesday, Bouchard issued a 2,800-word
pastoral letter on legalized gambling, tracing its rather innocent
beginnings in Alberta to its development as a billion-dollar boon for
provincial coffers - and the suffering endured by many Albertans as a
result. "Legalized gambling is not socially harmless but quite destructive
to individuals, to families and ultimately to communities," he states in the
letter. Bouchard said the letter is in keeping with a joint pastoral letter
issued by the Alberta Catholic bishops in 1998 - The False Eden of Gambling.
Yet, his letter is just as relevant today as revenues continue to
substantially outpace counselling resources for problem gamblers and their
loved ones. "After some research and realizing the consequences of gambling
and its issues in Alberta, the current Lenten season urges us to make an
examination of conscience," Bouchard said. "We must see what the
consequences of gambling are." The letter was a long time coming, he said.
Bouchard consulted numerous sources, including school boards. He was pleased
to find many of them had already adopted resolutions against gambling and
pursuing funds derived from gambling. Because commitments have been made by
some groups to use a licensed casino or bingo in the near future, Bouchard
used a three-year phase out period. In that time, groups can proceed with
their plan, but will have to find alternate means of fundraising
subsequently. "I tried to act as pastorally as I could, that we would be
gradually getting away from gambling revenue. Many promises have been made,
setting up several projects. The time lapse will permit a good transition.
It will also give people the chance to seek other means." Bouchard said it
was important for him and his research team to look at all of the facts
available. "I am not inventing things here. We tried to make sure our facts
were accurate." Now in his sixth year as bishop of the Diocese of St. Paul,
Bouchard has averaged one pastoral letter annually. Previous letters have
commented on Confirmation, restoration of the permanent diaconate and
vocations. Bouchard has distributed copies of the letter to the Catholic
bishops of Alberta, to the parishes in the St. Paul Diocese - in French and
English, as well as all school board superintendents and school principals.
"We have to hope and pray that something comes out of this." Bouchard noted
that casinos are being built in Cold Lake and in the Whitecourt area in his
diocese. "And people go to Edmonton. That is somewhat worrisome. At some
point we have to speak out on social justice issues." Bouchard is requesting
parishioners to contact their MLAs to express their concerns and to see if
their political representative shares those concerns. He wants to see a
substantial increase in the quality and quantity of counselling resources
available for problem gamblers along with either full elimination of VLTs or
at least banning them outside licensed casinos. He is calling on the
faithful to examine their own gambling behaviour and to resolve not to
contribute to the culture of gambling.