Dear Editor, The ideal of the Christian family is embedded in the Irish Constitution and provides a template or framework for the family. Not all families are ideal, not all families are Christian, but Irish laws within the Constitution are capable of accommodating people of different belief systems. The forthcoming referendum on same-sex marriage will…

Dear Editor, Shortly Irish voters will be asked by our Government to legalise same-sex marriage, with men marrying men, women marrying women and with children being adopted/surrogated into same-sex unions, as a new Irish norm. Should this same-sex referendum pass, will schools and teachers be forced to teach children that same-sex marriage is not just…

Dear Editor, There is no doubt that had it not been for the marriage referendum, we would not have had so many public discussions about how Ireland treats gay people, or the nature of civil marriage. Whatever the result of the marriage referendum, it has been a healthy exercise for people who are gay, and…

Dear Editor, I am somewhat surprised that the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP), have come out as neutral in the forthcoming Marriage Equality Referendum. Given that the ACP consistently proposes altering Catholic moral teaching, I am somewhat surprised at the tone of its decision to stay neutral i.e. after a survey of its members it’s…

Dear Editor, John Mangan (IC, Letters, 19/03/2015) defends Barack Obama, citing his policies and laws towards the poor and the underprivileged, particularly in the arena of healthcare and immigration. I can’t guess Mr Obama’s intentions, but it’s important to draw the distinction between the free exercise of charity and government mandated socialist policy. The motivations…

Dear Editor, The point I wish to raise about same-sex marriage is not new, but I think, perhaps, it has not  been given sufficient consideration. I refer to the importance of language and the use of words. I believe, (like most others I’m sure), that everyone has a right to equal respect, care, and compassion.…

Dear Editor, Changing any law, or Constitution, or State policy, like an election, means an open political debate – no matter what the content – any firm or citizen may freely choose to fund or ignore or aid or oppose any proposal or candidate. So how can any bakery firm be conscripted to provide a…

Dear Editor, Congratulations to Mary Kenny on her thoughtful piece on the Annunciation (IC 26/03/2015). It is a cause for concern that the feast day is so much neglected and the fact that it is often confused with the Immaculate Conception shows a lack of knowledge of the Catholic faith. Yours etc., Colm de Barra,…

Dear Editor, I wish to express my dismay at the inclusion in your issue of March 19 of yet another article by Lucinda Creighton, this one the most unashamedly party political so far. I think your readers are entitled to know just what political agenda The Irish Catholic is pursuing. Your otherwise excellent paper constantly…

Dear Editor, The Tanaiste, Joan Burton, said there will be legislation to ensure that same-sex couples are not denied goods and services by businesses. No doubt she was referring to Ashers Bakeries in Belfast, a well-known Christian business. Ashers were asked to make a wedding cake bearing the slogan Support Gay Marriage. They refused on…