Dear Editor, I can’t help noticing that, in Christopher Altieri’s Notebook about the papal sacking of Cardinal Gerhard Müller as Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (IC 10/08/2017), he carefully avoids mentioning the ‘elephant in the room’ – Cardinal Müller’s attitude to the dubia expressed by four cardinals about the Pope’s…
Category: Letters
New nuncio a welcome sight
Dear Editor, I was glad to see our new nuncio has arrived in Ireland (IC 17/08/2017). Perhaps now the elderly bishops awaiting permission to retire can finally be replaced with some young bloods who can lead the charge of the mission of re-energising the Irish Church. And dare I say it, could we also maybe…
Jesuits’ amazing survival of atomic bomb
Dear Editor, In relation to the article of David Quinn (IC 10/08/2017) on the atomic bomb, your readers might like to know that when that bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, on August 6, 1945 four Jesuit priests were saying the Rosary in a house at the epicentre of the blast, where every building was demolished…
We shouldn’t limit avenues of faith formation
Dear Editor, I agree with Fr Patrick Seaver (IC Letters 03/08/2017) regarding the centrality of parents in the faith formation of children. The family, as a ‘domestic church’ is of crucial importance in the handing on of faith. I also concede that sacramental preparation may be best served solely in a parish context, once adequate resources,…
Be careful of wording of old prayers
Dear Editor, I would like through the columns of your newspaper to call on people to be careful about the prayers they use which belong to a different time and era. They reflect a bad theology. I would suggest that people stop using a prayer which contains these words: “O Jesus, forgive us our sins,…
The ordained priest acts in the person of Christ
Dear Editor, Mary Finegan (IC Letters 27/07/2017) believes that “banning women from being ordained priests is insulting”. At the Last Supper, Jesus told his apostles that, “the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all I have said to you” (Jn 14:26). Further, “when…
Stunts won’t win support
Dear Editor, I too was appalled when I saw the image on social media of a ‘repeal’ jumper spread on the altar of the Oblate church in Inchicore (IC 10/08/2017). This insult was intended to provoke the people of faith. However, I think it has back-fired on the pro-choice campaign because the people of the…
Empty churches should just be closed down
Dear Editor, I wish to congratulate Dr Andrew Maxwell (IC Letters 20/07/2017) on his point that the GAA is the new religion in Ireland. First of all the GAA is very well sponsored for all their games in Croke Park, therefore they should pay all the players. All Ireland tickets will be €90 this year,…
We need more than ordinations of new priests
Dear Editor, Our poor priests are run off their feet. Soon they will all be gone unless something radical is done. I cannot see the Church surviving, the way it is going. When discussions of the shortage of priests arise two solutions are always presented – ordaining married men and ordaining women. However, neither of…
Mindfulness does not lead to Christian prayer
Dear Editor, I disagree with the view of Bro. Richard Hendrick, OFM Cap., that mindfulness is part of the Christian tradition. (‘Call for mindfulness to be made mainstream in the Irish Church’, IC 03/08/2017). One comes as one is “in the present moment” to Christian prayer. However, neither the Buddhist nor the Hindu traditions relate…