Dear Editor, I am writing to you about Cathal Barry’s article on Christina Gallagher and the House of Prayer in Achill (IC 30/10/14). You quoted Mick Power, who became involved with the House of Prayer in 1998, describing Ms Gallagher’s alleged divine messages as “appalling” and all about chastisement and the end of the world,…

Dear Editor, Since the inception of Pope Francis’ pontificate, there has been a well-intentioned attempt to restore the attractiveness of the Gospel for those to whom it has lost its sheen. However, this has played out as the soft-pedalling of the gravity of moral doctrine on human sexuality in a post-Vatican II spirit of Jesuitical…

Dear Editor, While the issue of the non-ordination of women to the priesthood is final, is it possible that their acceptance to the diaconate will eventually be accepted by the Magisterium of the Church? I venture to say that their acceptance would be welcomed by clergy and laity alike, although I acknowledge there would be…

Dear Editor, There is lots of talking about the lack of vocations to the priesthood and religious life but no word at all about the lack of religious instruction in our national schools since Vatican II. It is nonsense to expect young men and young women to give their lives to Jesus Christ when they…

Dear Editor, David Quinn’s article “Time for Church leaders to help students who have been silenced in our colleges” (IC 09/10/14), highlights the apparent intolerance for pro-life or Catholic views in our universities among student unions and the student body, and calls for Church leaders to support Christian students. To be openly Christian in universities…

Adults can lead by example at Mass   Dear Editor, For thousands of people who were never taught good catechesis, the Catholic Church is assessed by how they see its members (including priests) behaving in the ordinary living of life. The Church is also judged by the quality of honour, adoration and meaningfulness associated with…

Dear Editor, As scripture says, “the road that leads to perdition is wide and spacious, and many take it, but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life and only a few find it. (Matt 7:13-14). All the Catholic Church can do is light up the narrow road that leads…

Dear Editor, Well done to David Quinn for highlighting the discrimination faced by student pro-life groups in Irish universities in his article, ‘Time for Church leaders to help students who have been silenced in our colleges’ (IC 09/10/2014). I agree with Mr Quinn that it is time to rally round these student groups and support…

Dear Editor, It is some time now since I read Andrew O’Connell’s article of 18/09/2014, but I am totally clear that Terence Gallagher (Letters, 16/10/2014) has completely missed Andrew’s point. All that wasted steam over Mel Gibson. He says: “It is beyond belief that his conclusion about the state of Catholicism should base itself upon…

Dear Editor, Mr Terence Gallagher’s letter (IC 16/10/2014) is based on a complete misunderstanding of the basic premise of my column (Notebook, 18/09/2014) which had nothing at all to do with promoting a Mel Gibson movie, as he implies. My central point is that many Catholics, even those who regularly attend Church, are now uncertain…