"How trust-worthy?"

In the editors· reply to a letter ("How trust-worthy?'" Readers' Forum, Parsi­ana, April . 006), you state that "A Parsi couple cannot be legally wed by a Parsi priest in. -orth America."

In the prmince of Quebec, Canada, under the ansp·ces of The Zoroastrian Association of Quebec, since March 15, 1996, a few ordained Parsi priests in­cluding myse!L do have dispensation to perform maniageswbich are recognized by the government of Quebec and the government of Canada. We have per­formed several marriages which have been recognized and certified legal.

Ervad JAL MINOCHER PANTHAKI

Montreal, Canada

While reading '"How trust-worthy?" it occurred to me that although many states do not recognize our priests and, as such, require couples to un­dergo a civil marriage, we in Ontario, Canada are very fortunate. Our priests have been licensed to perform mar­riages and sign the marriage certifi­cate thereby making it unnecessary to have a civil ceremony. As for the nirang, our priests have brought it from India and the nahan is performed before both the wedding and the navjote ceremonies.

To negate the marriages of couples marrying outside of India or Pakistan is foolish and to further say that their off­spring " ... not be considered Parsi Zoro­astrians" is fuelling the decline of our noble religion. When our children read such drivel is it any wonder they choose to go out and marry people of other faiths? Parsis were always respected and known to value a good education but if we let fanatics and dogmatists cut off our future generations then no wonder we are a dying breed.

ROSHAN BYRAMJEE Oakville. Ontario

The editors reply

We stand corrected.