Re: "Churches take pipeline views into the pulpit," Aug. 15.
The article observes that churches in Canada, the United Church of Canada among them, have been taking an active part in publishing critical remarks about the pipeline proposals before the National Energy Board.
These comments come from people educated in religion, theology and the teaching of it, at least ostensibly, but see fit to venture out into the world of pipeline policy, technology and engineering at the apex of their complicated and involved levels. They offer counsel to their adherents and to other people who might credit what they have to say because they are considered leaders in the communities they serve.
Private opinions from them as individuals are, of course, legitimate on any issue. But they choose to speak on this important subject in their capacities as representatives of their followers (probably without any formal authorization), giving their own positions on a national issue, thereby greatly augmenting the weight that might be attached. They are entirely out of order and should be ignored.
Clergy like to quote adages. I recall one that they might reconsider: "Let the cobbler stick to his last."
N.J. Stewart
Victoria
