Dear Editor, There is no doubt that the provision of hospital chaplaincy staff is a priority and as having ministered in a hospital, this service is needed as never before.I find that what patients need is the reassurance of the sacraments, especially with regards to Confession.  For a person who may be close to death…

Dear Editor, I’m finding the rise in attacks on churches in this country deeply disturbing. Last week’s paper reported an attack on a church in Limerick – Our Lady of Lourdes – and in previous weeks I remember there had been another church attack in Kilkeel, Co. Down followed by a synagogue that was attacked…

Dear Editor, Using a ‘Cross of Sacrifice’ as a war memorial in Glasnevin Cemetery is at first glance appropriate. It links the combatant’s heroism and sacrificial living and dying with Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross. There is one enormous difference however. Jesus suffered and died loving and praying for his enemies: “Father forgive…

Dear Editor, I have been following with interest the debate about the new translation of the Ordinary Form of the Mass, particularly the concern that words such as “consubstantiation” would not be understood by ordinary Massgoers. Today I attended the English Mass and noticed that the reference to the “remission of sins” by baptism in the…

Dear Editor, Paul Keenan’s warning about the threat to the seal of confession is timely indeed, ‘Breaking the seal’ (IC 17/7/14). Sacerdotal privilege has traditionally been recognised by the courts of the Republic of Ireland – though the Supreme Court, in a 2001 appeal by the ‘Church of Scientology’ against a judgment which refused privilege…

Dear Editor,When we confess our sins it is to reconcile ourselves to God. The priest acts for God and only he can forgive our sins. We are taught from a young age that it is a grievous sin for the confessor to break the trust of the penitent and therefore I find it an insult…

Dear Editor,We are due to have a referendum as to whether or not to write same-sex ‘marriage’ into our national law. Unfortunately, some people tend to think ‘if that’s how gay people want it, then why disallow it to them?’ while others argue ‘why not just call it Gay Union?’ We should vote only after…

Dear Editor, Your lead story last week, ‘Hopsital Catholic chapel to be replaced by mutli-faith centre’ (IC 17/7/14) reminded me a very recent visit I paid to a multi-faith room in Leeds Bradford International Airport two weeks ago. Intrigued by such facilities, I try to pay a visit whenever I see them offered and the…

Dear Editor, Declining Mass numbers, a vocations crisis, and now news that even the production of the Holy Communion breads is no longer the preserve of the Church, ‘Orders’ bread threatened by overseas secular suppliers’ (IC 17/7/14). How far have we come that such a central element of our faith is a mere product of…

Dear Editor, Yes, yes and yes again to President Michael D. Higgins’ selection of Br Kevin Crowley as a true hero, ‘President hails Br Kevin Crowley as his ‘Dublin hero’’ (IC 24/7/14). Ireland has changed much over the last 30 years, together with the profile and numbers of our homeless. Only two factors can be…