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…

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, It was heartening to read Fr Tom Deenihan’s words dismissing “inaccurate, unworthy and misleading” criticism of Catholic schools (‘Catholic Ed. chief defends ‘inclusive and diverse’ schools’, IC 19/03/2015). I am fed up of reading criticism in the media about our schools. The Catholic Church did not set out to create some kind of…

Dear Editor, In response to the news from India, it is really very shocking that an elderly nun became a victim to this barbaric crime (‘Indian Christians pray after horrific attack on nun’, IC 19/03/2015). The attack on the religious nuns in the wee hours of the morning on March 14 should draw world-wide attention…

Dear Editor, Our former President’s remarks about Pope Francis left a stale taste in my mouth. Dr Austen Ivereigh was right to dismiss Mary McAleese’s claims that Pope Francis carries a “residual element of misogyny” that blinds him to the risks of insufficiently empowering women in the Church (IC 19/03/2015). Speaking as a woman, I…