Dear Editor, it was good to see that the former Abbot of Glenstal Abbey Fr Mark Patrick Hederman OSB giving the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) a bit of a reality check at their recent meeting (IC 16/11/17). I was surprised, however, that the leadership of the ACP appeared to flatly reject Fr Hederman’s criticism of their movement. Statements from the ACP are always needlessly negative and seem more designed to give talking points to the Church’s detractors rather than build up the faith of ordinary Catholics.
The angry response of the ACP leadership to Fr Hederman’s critique is indicative of a clericalist attitude that would seek to present itself as ‘speaking truth to power’ (the bishops) while being unable to hear truth when it is spoken to them.
The ACP has raised vital issues about the future of the Church in Ireland, and their work with priests who have been falsely accused of abuse was evidently badly needed. However, the organisation also needs a good dose of reality: they should work with everyone else to bring about a better Church rather than criticising everyone else.
Well done Fr Hederman.
Mary Kelly,
Straffan,
Co. Kildare.
Non-religions arguments for right to life
Dear Editor, the respect for the sacredness of life in the womb has its roots in Christianity’s Jewish origins; in the belief that all human life is sacred and a gift from God. Although the sanctity-of-life principle is most commonly associated with issues pertaining to the end of life, it is equally relevant when debating ethical issues associated with the beginning of life. The common factor being the concept of personhood.
Although the idea that life is sacred may have religious origins, it can be defended on non-theological grounds as it is supported by those of no religious persuasion who put a value on all human life. However, when discussing the lives of individuals with disabilities the quality-of-life ethic is frequently the principle upon which the quality of their lives is based. The danger is that there will always be discrepancies as to who chooses, and who judges what qualities are required to live a worthwhile life.
Pro-choice advocates do not accept that the foetus is a human person with a right to life. However, a foetus is already a person with the potential to become who they were created to be; not a potential person but a person with potential. Life is a continuum so how can it be said that a neonatal child is a person but a baby in the womb is not? A foetus diagnosed with an abnormality is no different, it has an equal right to life and deserves to be treated with equal respect. To abort on the grounds of a prenatal diagnosis of an abnormality, is to predetermine that a life will not be worthwhile before it has had a chance to begin.
Yours etc.,
Christina Coakley,
Ballyhaunis,
Co. Mayo.
Time for a day of atonement
Dear Editor, I would strongly urge the bishops of Ireland to have a ‘Day of Atonement’ on a Sunday during this coming Lent 2018, for all the abuse that took place in the name of our Church over the last number of decades.
In preparation for the coming of Pope Francis, and a proposed referendum on the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution the bishops’ voices would carry a lot more weight if we had a day of atonement.
Yours etc.,
Michael Foulds
Blackrock,
Co. Cork.
Sinn Féin’s double standards
Dear Editor, in his final address as President of Sinn Féin to the members at the recent Ard Fheis, Gerry Adams spoke about woman’s rights. He said “on the basis of respect, tolerance and equality” that Sinn Féin would never support denial of these rights in Dublin or London and such an attitude would not be tolerated in Northern Ireland. Yet when the vote on abortion was taken at the Ard Fheis the adoption of the motion put to the members was akin to ‘abortion on demand’. This did not reflect the view of some important members whose efforts to make voting for the motion a ‘conscience matter’ was defeated also.
It has been noticeable and recorded that public cracks have recently appeared in Sinn Féin ranks over bullying allegations. Gerry Adams declared publicly that he himself did not agree with all of Sinn Féin’s policies. Abortion is the “direct killing” of an innocent baby. Surely all members who have regard for the sacredness of all human life and the freedom of conscience and expression must reflect on these matters and vote according to their conscience despite any dictate from any part? A vote for Sinn Féin in the future could be regarded as a vote for availability of abortion.
Yours etc.,
Rev. Patrick Marron,
Fintona, Co. Tyrone.
Priesthood seen as sacrifice
Dear Editor, any discussion on the priesthood must begin with a definition of what exactly priesthood is. A priest is someone who offers sacrifice. Catholic priests offer the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross to God. This implies a relationship with God, with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Begun by God, this relationship is nourished by prayer, reading of Sacred Scripture and the lives of the saints. I hope that my brother priests will find time every day for this conversation. Talking of saints, I can’t help liking St Anthony. He helps me find things when I can’t find them myself!
Yours etc.,
Fr Noel Mc Keown OP,
Dominican Priory, Newry, Co. Down.
War cannot be avoided ‘at all costs’
Dear Editor, Pope Francis’ admirable anti-war rhetoric is deserving of some important reflection. While one would obviously be in agreement with the Pontiff that war ought to be avoided, this cannot be done at all costs. Of course, the Pope is also right in pointing out that nations ought not to take aggressive stances against one another. However, suggestions from theologians close to Francis that the Pope might ‘jettison’ the idea of a just war would be troubling indeed. Such a notion seems to imply that one can, in fact, build Heaven in earth and come to a situation where war is never necessary.
The reality is that there are – and always will be – instances when the just nations of the world may have to resort to violence to quell the unjust nations of the world. Examples include the entirely unprovoked attack on a nation state from a foreign aggressor. We would reach a pretty depressing place in world history were the free nations of the world to fail in their duty to act in these circumstances to repel the invader.
That being said, one must only resort to war as a last resort. Pope St Pohn Paul II was right when in 2002 he wrote that “war is always a defeat for humanity”. It’s a sad reflection on fallen human nature that wars will sometimes be the only option – sad as this fact is.
Yours etc.,
Donal McDermott,
Bangor,
Co. Down.
A dangerous nihilistic tale
Dear Editor, why does a Catholic newspaper run an article that gives Suburbicon an excellent five-star rating when it “destroys our faith in the goodness of human nature at every turn”. This nihilistic attitude pays homage to the gospel of George Clooney and appears to contradict the ethos and theme of every other article in the newspaper! Just wondering?
Yours etc.,
Sean Grace,
Malahide, Co. Dublin.
Film critic Aubrey Malone repiles: I appreciate Mr Grace’s point. Perhaps it would have been more appropriate to say the film “threatens” rather than “destroys” our faith in the goodness of human nature. As I mentioned in my review, its ending has cathartic elements. It’s important to note that neither I nor Mr George Clooney are nihilistic. A film, like a book, expresses a point of view as evidenced by its characters. Such characters aren’t reflective of the fullness of life, just elements of it that are relevant to the constraints of the plot. If we were to reduce any book or film with negative elements in it to the level of nihilism, even the Bible would have to face such a charge. As I also mentioned in my review, Suburbicon is a moral film with a Biblical subtext.
