Dear Editor, When Archbishop Michael Neary says that we are hearing the “death rattle” of Christendom (IC 13/11/2014), he is clearly not saying that disbelieving secularism has defeated the Church. Dr Neary describes Christendom as a “shared set of assumptions about life and its purpose, reflected in use of language, in culture and in the…

Dear Editor, Taking up on the recent comment made by Archbishop Michael Neary “Church has ‘lost the battle’ with secularism” (IC 13/11/2014), I wish to say that in certain ways he is correct. But he speaks about “bewildering crossroads” and the “inevitable struggle” in these modern times, with words like “death rattle” meaning the end.…

Dear Editor, I wish to refer to the article entitled, “Church has ‘lost the battle’ with secularism” (IC 13/11/2014). Archbishop Michael Neary’s remarks about the Church losing the battle with secularism are wrong. The Church is the body of Christ and the war was won on the cross 2,000 years ago. If he means the…

Dear Editor, In relation to your editorial “Is the Church here finished” (IC 13/11/2014) you highlighted the inadequacies of both the liberal and conservative Church commentators’ response, but the importance of Pope Francis’s call to be a missionary Church rooted in prayer and faith in Christ and his message. I think most Catholics would welcome…

Dear Editor, Your readers will be aware that Bernadette Smyth, the courageous founder of the pro-life group Precious Life has been convicted in Belfast of harassment on foot of a complaint from Dawn Purvis of the Marie Stopes clinic. All who genuinely oppose abortion, north and south, now need to rally to support the courage…

Dear Editor, RTÉ has a blind spot where religious faith is concerned. This was evident in the very minimal report RTÉĖ gave to the powerful address by Pope Francis in the European Parliament. In contrast the BBC, ITV and Sky News gave extensive coverage and good analysis of the event. I am sure the media…

Dear Editor, Cathal Barry’s interesting article on Christ’s life (IC 06/11/2014) exemplifies some of the problems in the Church today. Similar to most of the sermons in today’s homilies, in his lengthy article Cathal does not once mention the word repentance. Did Christ die unconditionally for everyone? After reading Cathal’s article the thought crossed my…

Dear Editor, How uplifting to read Philip Johnson’s story of his diagnosis of terminal brain cancer and his hope of ordination to the priesthood (IC 13/11/2014).  What a comparison with that of 29-year-old Brittany Maynard who ended her life because of a similar diagnosis. All life is fragile and worth living but, unfortunately, not always…

Dear Editor, The story on Archbishop Michael Neary in The Irish Catholic of November 13 makes for grim reading: “Church has ‘lost the battle’ with secularism”. Sadly, one would have to agree with his assessment. It’s such a pity that our Church leaders did not take heed of our Blessed Mother’s request to have the rosary…

Dear Editor, The death has occurred of Venerable Archdeacon Michael O’Brien, known to a generation of Cork GAA supporters as ‘the Canon’. The people of Cork are saying goodbye to a priest who has served us well; walked with us in our joys, our sorrows and in our everyday lives. He baptised us, prayed with…