Dear Editor, Fr Gabriel Daly OSA (Letters, 12/12/13) writes about elusion on the grounds of narrow minded and arbitrary rules of Catholics who look for conformity to the rules and regulations imposed by one party in the Church. Then having declared that Cardinal Levada had no right to accuse Fr Flannery of heresy, Fr Daly…

Dear Editor, I was delighted to read Cathal Barry’s interview with the impressive Donncha O’Callaghan in the Christmas edition of the paper (19/12/13). It was a joy to read of the pride the Munster rugby player has for his faith and the “inner peace” prayer brings him. I was pleased to read that the fame…

Dear Editor, I would like to point out to Hilda Nelson (Letters IC 19/12/13) that I have always accepted priests who have “paid the price” for their child sexual abuse crimes should be allowed to move on with their lives. Also that any wrongful accusation of priest or lay person is devastating to that individual…

Dear Editor, Once again we see Ireland behind the curve in its rush to impose an abortion regime on this country. Even as the tide continues to turn against the devastation wrought by terminations in the United States, I read (IC 12/12/13) of Europe’s rejection – for a second time – of a call to…

Dear Editor, Thank you for your detailed coverage of the latest audits of dioceses and congregations (IC 12/12/13). The calm and ordered detailing of progress achieved, and the work yet to be done, was in contrast to the predictable search for grim reading so obvious in other areas of the media who remain apparently reluctant…

Dear Editor, The article ‘Pre-Famine bishops sparked hi-tech revolution’ (IC 12/12/13) appears lop-sided. The report praises Irish religious leaders for mandating in 1836 all education of Catholic children through the English language – albeit at the expense of our own Irish tongue. Talk of turkeys voting for Christmas! Why overlook the cultural cost? The whole…

Dear Editor, An article (IC 28/11/13), regarding women priests, read: “The reservation of priesthood to males, as a sign of Christ the spouse who gives himself in the Eucharist, is not a question open to discussion, but it can prove especially divisive if sacramental power is too closely identified with power in general.” I am…

Dear Editor, I read the comments attributed to Marie Collins (IC 5/12/13). No one is trying to rewrite history or forget the sins of some priests but the Association of Catholic Priests and others are concerned about the truth and justice of any situation and rightly, as read in your paper, have real concerns that the…

Dear Editor, It would appear that Fianna Fáil are trying to round up disillusioned deputies from other parties who courageously voted against the recently enacted Protection of Life during Pregnancy Act. This is somewhat ironic as the Fianna Fáil party in effect voted for the legislation. Micheál Martin will of course contest this and state that a…