Dear Editor, the appointment by Pope Francis of Marie Collins to the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors is wonderful news. Mrs Collins has been a powerful and courageous voice who has spoken not only for herself, but on behalf of those who cannot speak out about their experiences. The setting up of the…

Dear Editor, At their annual Ard Fheis at the weekend Fianna Fáil delegates passed a motion calling on the Government to invite Pope Francis to Ireland. Let’s hope that Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore will have the graciousness to do so. Where there was talk of Pope Benedict XVI visiting – a great…

Dear Editor, There has been much talk in Catholic Church circles about next year’s planned referendum to permit same-sex marriage. Can I be alone in looking towards the referendum campaign with trepidation? Recent months have shown that there is very little temperance in Ireland when it comes to public debates about sensitive moral issues. Undoubtedly,…

Dear Editor, I expressed concern, in a recent letter to The Irish Catholic, in relation to the (former) Catholic ethos of Saint Patrick’s College, Drumcondra. Since then, Professor President Brian Mac Craith of DCU, speaking in Drumcondra on  Friday February 28th 2014, has stated categorically that by 2016 Saint Patrick’s College, Mater Dei Institute, and…

Dear Editor, Prompted by the Irish Catholic 6 March front page report on Cardinal Brady's desire to see our Church reach out with compassion to the divorced, I ask why here in Ireland do we need to wait for the results of the October synod? Although at the moment divorced and remarried Catholics are unable…

Dear Editor, The British government now realises that same-sex ‘marriage’ will require a massive rewrite of legislation dating back to 1285. Over 2,000 laws referring to marriage have to be changed at a cost of many millions of pounds and all to support a whim of David Cameron who is determined to push gay ‘marriage’…

Dear Editor, I have waited patiently for someone in authority to point out that it cannot be lawful for same-sex couples to enter into a contract of marriage, unless, of course, they plan to change dictionaries as well as the law. The legal definition of marriage is strictly a contract entered into between a man…

Dear Editor, Local and European elections fast approach. Voters should scrutinise carefully the plethora of candidates, parties and ideological agendas now presenting themselves in search of votes. Among them will be pro-abortion parties and campaigners. We must vote pro-abortion parties and candidates out of office at every opportunity and vote for politicians who are unashamed…

Dear Editor, For many years, I have been greatly edified by Mr Redmond O'Hanlon's letters and his undaunted willingness to challenge the proponents of heliocentrism.  I suspect that his is a lonely battle, but hope he takes heart in this often observed phenomenon:  the man who swims against the tide of mainstream opinion today is feted…

Dear Editor, Congratulations to Maria Byrne for her piece Parents can avoid First Communion financial pressures (IC 13/3/14). Right-minded parents will surely take note of the sentiments conveyed in the piece and put the true value and meaning to the fore on their child’s special day without a need for ostentatious displays that bring nothing…