Pope’s priorities are a great example to world leaders

Tributes have flowed from world leaders to honour the contribution of the late Pope Francis (“PM suspends election campaign, Trump to attend funeral after Pope dies aged 88,” April 22). It would be a lasting memorial to his life if these leaders implemented some of the policies he advocated but were ignored by those who had the power to achieve them. Pope Francis called for “an end to the extraction to coal, oil and gas as well as significant lifestyle changes to save the planet”, a welcome mat to the desperate refugees and asylum seekers escaping from life-threatening situations, and peace to bring an end to the world’s conflicts, especially the cessation of the Israeli bombing of Gaza, whose Catholic priest he phoned regularly to give encouragement. There are basic human values which he urged should be available to all the people of the world. Could our own candidates for election on May 3 promise to work for their achievement? Doug Hewitt, Hamilton

On a day when much of the world mourns the death of a pope widely regarded as a humane and compassionate religious leader, we are treated to the distasteful spectacle of Donald Trump’s Easter message. This welter of venom, sarcasm and paranoia does not befit a leader of a nation once so highly regarded. In the US constitution, the 25th amendment allows for the replacement of a president who may be incapacitated, impeached or otherwise unable to continue in office. This possibility was raised in Trump’s first administration. Considering his disastrous attacks on America’s freedoms, its allies and the global financial system, as well as signs of mental instability, perhaps it is time for Congress to invoke this drastic step. On the other hand, this will put J.D. Vance in charge. Hobson’s choice. Phillip Emder, Randwick

As an agnostic, I would like to say what a truly wonderful advocate Pope Francis was during his 12-year tenure as leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. His compassion, concern for the poor, his humility, not to mention his strong connection with people on a human level, his honesty and generosity were commendable. We can only hope his successor will also possess those traits. He will not be forgotten. RIP, Pope Francis. Rose Lysnar, Orange

Donald Trump’s presence at Pope Francis’s funeral is as hypocritical and disrespectful an act as you will ever see. He is an antithesis of everything this humble Jesuit priest stood for. The Vatican organisers should make him stand outside among the poor, the migrants and the ordinary people. Wendy Atkins, Cooks Hill

I suspect that before the late pope is even cold in his coffin, Donald Trump and his mob will be scheming how to get their man into the papacy. The allure of all that wealth and power just waiting to be taken will prove too much for them. Musk will be sent in to clean out the joint. They will continue rewriting the meaning of faith. Howard Charles, Glebe

Christianity improved life

Those correspondents who have objected to Ross Gittins’ article on moral behaviour in society (Letters, April 22), citing the influence of religious teaching, are pretty judgmental themselves, making sweeping statements about the Church’s role in history and neglecting the good which has been achieved (“My Easter sermon: How we Trump-proof our society,” April 21). Society before Christ was pretty brutal, with women, children and slaves having little autonomy. Roman society was particularly brutal, but from a small start the early church changed the way the powerless were treated. It was Christians who started the first hospitals, for example, and taught that husbands should be faithful to their wives. It was Christians who gathered babies, often girls, from where they had been abandoned to die. It is true that not all religious people are good, but most try to be, with the help of God. I wouldn’t have liked to live in pre-Christian Rome. Vivienne Parsons, Thornleigh

I was taken aback by the attacks on Ross Gittins who can be, admittedly, curmudgeonly. The phrase he wrote that will stay with me is his description of the danger to us of “sanctified selfishness”. It is, to me, a danger that Pope Francis fought. Anne Garvan, Chatswood West

Ross Gittins’ opinion piece is a clarion call for our times. In the context of the gods of materialism and worship of Gaia, or Mother Earth, gaining more traction, it is a reminder of the Judeo-Christian tradition, which informs the values of Western civilisation. Yes, Christianity can be accused of injustice and hypocrisy, now and in the past, but we need to remember to value the core beliefs it has enshrined in our laws and cultural norms about the importance of the individual, including the rights we have as individuals regardless of status or wealth. As we move to a more secular society, we are at risk. As G K Chesterton said, “when people stop believing in God, they don’t believe in nothing; they believe in anything.” Karen McEwen, North Turramurra

Medical misogyny is real

Retired surgical specialist Jan Swinnen made some good points in his letter about sensationalising medical misogyny (Letters, April 22). But to deny that it exists is dangerous. Surely, he would acknowledge that research parameters have historically used men as the standard, to the detriment of women. And women were historically and often inaccurately deemed “hysterical” and consigned to mental facilities by husbands and male doctors. Would he acknowledge the discrimination inherent in some medical imaging? How is it that follow-up $800 MRIs to screen for recurrent breast cancer are not only not bulk-billed but unrebated, while follow-up MRIs for non-cancerous prostate conditions are bulk-billed? Alison Stewart, Riverview

I’m glad to see that at least one letter has been published in response to the Herald’s long Medical Misogyny series. Jan Swinnen correctly points out that the expectations of the public regarding medical management are high. It’s difficult for people to understand that even with the assistance of modern technology, medical diagnosis is still not perfect. Most doctors, especially those in the hospital or emergency settings, have to make more critical decisions in a day than most people make in a lifetime. Remember that. Ross MacPherson, Seaforth

Here’s a bit of medical misogyny “sensationalism” for your correspondent. Almost 30 years ago, when I was 26, I had crippling pain in my abdomen. I attended the Prince of Wales emergency department three times over a weekend and was sent home each time, with the last doctor putting his hand on my shoulder and condescendingly saying: “Ms Raffan, you need to improve your diet”, as he thought I was just constipated. Later, my mother and her doctor partner came over and found me in agony in the foetal position. They rushed me back to hospital in an ambulance and only then did the doctors notice in an X-ray that something wasn’t right. Turns out I had a one-in-a-million congenital defect in my intestine that was slowly killing me. After a three-and-a-half hour operation, I pulled through. Without my mother and her partner’s intervention, I would have died a painful death. If I had been an older gentleman presenting with the same symptoms, the hospital would have certainly taken it more seriously. Clare Raffan, Campsie

Where’s the DV outrage?

I was expecting to see several letters yesterday echoing the outrage I felt upon reading Jordan Baker’s report on the underfunding of domestic violence services (“Abused women wait too long for lights, locks, panic buttons,” April 21). Even the daily editorial was devoted to calling attention to dangerous wait times and gross underfunding, even though domestic violence assaults continue to increase (“We must honour Molly Ticehurst’s memory with action,” April 21). But not a single letter. Are we numbed to the ongoing scourge of domestic violence? This time last year government leaders acknowledged we were in the midst of a national crisis, yet critical services have to wait until June to find out if they’ll have funding for the upcoming financial year. Meanwhile, those trying to escape domestic violence have to wait for essential support. That’s simply not good enough. Sharon McGuinness, Thirroul

Subjective truths

“Who is checking the Labor Party’s attack ads?” bemoans correspondent Don Ayres in a rant about Labor “wrecking our beloved country” (Letters, April 22). Don, it’s the same person who is checking the misinformation coming out of the Coalition camp. For more than a year the opposition has incorrectly blamed the government for the “cost-of-living crisis”. Yet, the main cause has been the independent RBA’s high interest rates, affecting mortgage repayments and rents. The inflation rate of more than 6 per cent left by the Morrison government meant the blunt instrument of interest rates has caused much grief. Oh, and the Ukraine war, which pushed up energy prices worldwide, that was Labor’s fault too? The high concentration of ownership in many of our markets, for example insurance and supermarkets, has also been responsible for price rise pain, not the Labor government as Dutton’s attack would have us believe. And please don’t get me started on the bulldust being spread by Dutton on the unnecessary fiasco of the $600 billion nuclear thought bubble, at taxpayers’ expense. James Tulloch, Westleigh

It is truly bizarre that private enterprise, intent on providing cost-effective renewable energy, is being thwarted by the Coalition as clarity is sought regarding a cap on that power source (“Renewables investors urge nuclear plan clarity”, April 22). The Coalition’s longstanding support for the private sector has truly evaporated in its push for nuclear power stations. Its questionable claim is that the cost – ignoring, for example, radioactive waste disposal and water supply augmentation – will be cheaper than a renewables roll-out. The associated promotion pays minimal attention to the source of funding – taxpayer versus the private sector. Perhaps the need for clarity will be redundant following May 3. Roger Epps, Armidale

Anyone who has visited China in the past decade will have noticed the progress they have made in moving to next-level technology, including the high-speed rail service that now connects every major city. Visitors will have also noticed how mountain ranges too steep to farm have been covered in massive solar arrays powering many rural towns. On our recent visit, nearly every car we saw was an electric car. If China, the world’s leader in future technology, has so clearly embraced solar energy and battery storage on such a wide scale, we would be foolish not to follow their lead. The proposed spending of $600 billion on seven nuclear reactors is pure fantasy and will never happen. Tony Snellgrove, Banora

Renewables investors are terrified of nuclear energy. Not because of safety, but because their profits and potential loss of government subsidies would evaporate should nuclear energy become a part of Australia’s energy mix. Riley Brown, Bondi Beach

Pay doctors their due

At last NSW voters have called out the hollow promises of the Minns government, (“Voters desert Minns over public services,” April 22). The NSW hospital doctors strike from April 8 to 10, an almost unprecedented three days of stoppages and detailed media coverage, exposed the deeply dysfunctional workplace conditions suffered by doctors and their patients. Cost of living is driving voters to public health and the diminishing numbers of medical staff plus increasing demands, is both demoralising and dangerous. Our long-suffering doctors deserve an increase of 30 per cent pay and better conditions, simply to make them equal to the other states. It’s high time, Health Minister Ryan Park, stop the brain drain and rebuild NSW hospitals. Hedda Whitfield, Pottsville

King hit

George Brandis just can’t help himself. In the middle of a perfectly rational piece about the British monarchy, he just has to have a shot at Australian republicans (“UK influence may fill the US void”, April 21). Perhaps he likes to get a reaction in the letters pages. I think I speak for most “tunnel-visioned republicans” who have no issue with the British and their monarch – it’s their choice. Leo Corbin, Rockdale

Change drug laws

I am appalled by the horrific murder of Sydney woman Thi Kim Tran in a violent drug related home invasion (“Tributes flow for Sydney woman kidnapped and found dead in car”, April 22). If we want to get drugs and thugs off our streets, we need to follow the recommendations of the latest Drug Summit findings and decriminalise and regulate all drugs. This will undercut the massive financial incentive of the drug gangs’ business model. The present laws facilitate the violence and danger to the community. Enough is enough, it is time to change the drug laws. Simon Chance, Richmond Hill

World-class

Your correspondent cringes at referring to Australia as “great” (Letters, April 22). There is always room for improvement, but compared with most other countries we have commendable welfare, health, education and legal systems. Wages and working conditions are still comparable with other OECD countries and are better than most. We have a multicultural society that is, for the most part, tolerant, law-abiding and egalitarian. We share the most wonderful environment of modern cities, beaches, forests and wide-open spaces. Our sporting, artistic and cultural institutions and facilities are world-class. I have been lucky enough to travel widely around the world and there is nowhere I would rather live than right here. Australia is a great place. The challenge is making it fairer for all. Robert Hickey, Green Point

It’s true, Australia is great in some respects, but it does have a few anomalies, as your correspondent suggests. In this regard, I’m reminded of one of my favourite riddles. “What do you call a nice Aussie?” Answer: “A Kiwi.” Steven Baker, Engadine

Worse than terse

On the subject of school reports (Letters, April 22), my late father attended an inner-city public high school in the 1930s. After the list of subjects and grades (which were apparently all F) one of his fellow student’s leaving certificate had the following comment: “Dresses well for cricket.” Martyn Yeomans, Sapphire Beach

I found my father’s school report card when cleaning out old documents, written in the 1920s: “Harry has no resemblance of any Scholastic Energy.” Robyn Hansen, Pennant Hills

“Perfunctory in performance” was a favourite of mine on my reports, as it forced parents to open a dictionary. Michael Cronk, Dubbo

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