Dear Editor, The Department of Education has recently invited submissions regarding the teaching of religion in primary schools. Reading the document on the department's website it is clear that unless we make our views known to them before November 22, we are likely to see significant changes in our primary schools in regard to: the…
Category: Letters
It is wrong to silence Fr Flannery
Dear Editor, The great apostle Paul, whilst imprisoned – whilst in chains – in Rome, could well have thrown in the towel in a state of despair. But no: instead, he exhorted his people – the people of God – to "Rejoice in the Lord always: again, I say, Rejoice." (Phil. 4:4). Many generations later,…
Moved by hearing Pope’s message
Dear Editor, I had the privilege of attending, along with many tens of thousands of eager pilgrims, Pope Francis’ Audience on September 25 in St Peter’s Square. The focus of Pope Francis catechesis was the unity of the Church. Unity in faith, in hope, in charity, in the sacraments and the ministry, are “like the…
A new movement for Ireland is needed
Dear Editor, Those of us who have to endure the arrogance and contempt from our dictatorial Government, autocratic Taoiseach, and their servant backbenchers who forced through The Protection of Life During PregnancyAct despite vehement opposition have had their say in the Seanad referendum. Of course the Seanad needs reform but that can wait for another…
The Mater has made a regrettable decision
Dear Editor, The decision of the Mater Hospital to comply with the Government’s abortion legislation is regrettable. The statement issued by the hospital does not make it clear whether the decision was taken by the hospital authorities or if the governance structures of the Irish Sisters of Mercy were a party to this decision. In…
The Mater Hospital and abortion
Dear Editor, I’m sure that I’m not the only one who is totally baffled and shocked at the news that the Mater Hospital has agreed to carry out abortions in keeping with the Government’s legislation, the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act. Recently, Fr Kevin Doran said that the Mater Hospital could not carry out…
Pope Francis and the common good
Dear Editor, Suppose that Pope Francis had said in his now-famous interview that Catholics should stop obsessing about social justice issues, such as combating poverty and discrimination and war, and instead preach the Gospel of mercy. There would have been a fierce outcry. And rightly so. Does the Pope not realise, people would have said,…
Most baptisms are ‘invalid’
Dear Editor, Charles Byrne is right in voicing his concern that “tens or even hundreds of invalid baptisms” were celebrated with Fr Iggy O’Donovan acting as celebrant (IC 26/9/13). While the affair as reported has a distinctive legalistic and Pharisaical aspect to it, I would not just agree with the statistics quoted but multiply them…
Thanks for the Francis interview
Dear Editor, Many thanks and congratulations on your visionary initiative in publishing the full interview given by our ever-surprising Pope Francis in your September 26 issue. Many regard it as a historical new-start in renewal for the Church Let’s hope you may have many copies in some convenient form for any who may have missed…
Pope Francis is a Pope for our times
Dear Editor, As the pontificate of Pope Francis continues through its first year, it is becoming ever more certain that the right man for the Church of our times was chosen by the conclave in March. The personal style Francis has brought to the papacy has appealed to all who believe in the caring and…