Dear Editor, While some Catholics have expressed reservations about the election of Donald Trump as the next President of the US due to his brash campaigning style, I would argue that when it comes to policies rather than personality Mr Trump’s victory should come as a huge relief to practising Catholics. In contrast to the…

Dear Editor, Various organisations from time to time criticise the management  and policies of Church schools, usually Catholic. In many instances they are correct but several things are overlooked not the least being the Constitution. Article 44, for instance, provides that every religious denomination shall have the right to “maintain institutions for religious or charitable…

Dear Editor, With little clear guidance the choice between the candidates in the US presidential election from an Irish or Catholic point of view was conflicting. I would give Trump the edge over the line. He has told us all the contentious and hateful things he hopes to accomplish, making no secret of his likes…

Dear Editor, I was interested to read the letters of Gearoid Duffy’s and James Rourke (IC 3/11/16) on the theme of remembrance/atonement in regard to babies who have died through abortion. A friend and I had a similar idea, and you were kind enough to publish a letter of mine along these lines a few…

Dear Editor, Thank you so much for your impressive pair of articles on the Reformation in your issue of November 10. Prof. Salvador Ryan’s piece on what led Luther to revolt was absolutely fascinating, and a salutary lesson in the dangers of excessive scrupulosity in our religious lives.  It seems clear that there was an…

Dear Editor, Fr Joe McDonald has written in response to my letter of October 20 to state that his views on abortion are not in conflict with the teaching of the Church (Letters, IC 10/11/2016). He adds that I have confused the teaching of the Church with the preaching of God’s mercy. I hope that…

Dear Editor, It may be of interest to readers to know that the views of the public are invited to be given to the so-called ‘citizens assembly’. It would appear that this has not been widely advertised by the media (surprise! surprise!). Submissions can be made to The Citizens Assembly, 16 Parnell Square, Dublin 1,…

Dear Editor, It is embarrassing to listen to and read the attempts by the so-called mainstream media to explain away their dishonest and distorted coverage of the US Presidential Election. It is high time they exited their self-created bubble and entered the real world. And what price now the value of the polls they create…

Dear Editor, The year of Mercy concludes on November 13 but Mercy as a Christian duty continues life-long. Pope Francis has given a vital practical example of mercy towards refugees.  We shall prepare to celebrate Christmas shortly, shall we say “No room at the Inn” to refugees? Many convents and religious houses have just a…