Dear Editor, Like many people, I am heartbroken by the news that the wonderful Dolores O’Riordan has died. She was a wonderful artist, but above all a daughter, a mother and a sister. She loved Limerick, and Limerick loved her.
We live in a culture where strength is prized above all else. A world dominated by Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un has little time for the weak. Dolores, in contrast, never hid her vulnerability. Many of us have the grace of living our struggles in private: this was never a luxury she enjoyed given her prominence as a musician and artist. Yet, she fought her demons in public and was never shy about sharing her mental health struggles.
Christians take strength from the fact that we believe in a God who became man and never hid his vulnerability; a God who wept over the death of his friend Lazarus and his beloved city of Jerusalem; a God who cried tears of anguish as he faced his passion and death. The Greeks and Romans may have taken consolation in the strength of their gods; our strength and hope is that we have a God who lives in the midst of our pain and struggles. It’s worthwhile to recall the words of the Lord to St Paul: “My grace is enough for you: my power is at its best in weakness” (II Cor. 12:9).
Yours etc.,
Mary Crolly,
Swords, Co. Dublin.
‘People of goodwill’ – it’s time to speak out
Dear Editor, A very clear message on the question of abortion was delivered by the leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, when he was interviewed by Colm O Mongain on the lunchtime radio news programme on RTÉ on Sunday.
He called on Catholics, “and all people of goodwill” to become active as the referendum debate progresses, so that the current protection for the child in the womb is maintained.
Catholics needed to have courage to speak with their neighbours and colleagues on this issue.
He made the point that this was perhaps the first time that people were being asked to vote to take away rights from a section or group of human beings, and that unborn children were the most vulnerable human beings.
He continued that great support was needed for women in a difficult situation to ensure an optimum result for the woman and child.
One of his main points was that people should not vote pro-life because the Catholic Church told them so, but rather because it was a crucially important human rights issue, and he also said that there was a tendency by some at times to leave the unborn child, and its importance as a human being, out of the discussion.
I think the clarity of the archbishop’s comments are to be greatly welcomed in the context of the upcoming referendum, and should be greatly heeded by all Catholics and, as he said, “all people of goodwill”.
Yours etc.,
Sean O Domhnaill,
Spiddal, Co. Galway.
The hope for new life burns on
Dear Editor, Fr Mark Link SJ in his booklet Vision 2000 penned the following reflection for the Feast Day of The Epiphany. “A Michigan newspaper carried a story about a lightbulb that had been burning day and night on a porch for 35 years. An electrical engineer speculated that early lightbulbs had strong filaments, which may account for the bulb’s longevity.” What an appropriate metaphor for the Eighth Amendment that has been part of our Constitution for 35 years next September.
Your etc.,
Frank Burke,
Terenure, Dublin 6w.
Ireland remains a safe place for mothers and babies
Dear Editor, As a northern republican, and member of the majority in the Six Counties from all political backgrounds who oppose abortion, I’ve watched in disbelief as the farce which passes for a consultation process in the 26 counties has unfolded.
The report of the Eighth Committee was launched before Christmas in Leinster House. The Government formed the committee to outsource the decision on abortion. The matter was decided upon by the political establishment and the grossly imbalanced Committee was used to reverse engineer the result.
And what of the media? The Wall Street Journal recently wrote: “While the Irish public is wrestling with the issue, the Irish media is not. National media outlets have devoted themselves almost exclusively to the pro-repeal position.” It’s been said with justification that some media outlets should register with the Standards in Public Office as campaign groups, so blatantly biased has been their output! Most journalists do not even bother pretending to be objective on the issue.
All of this distortion and dishonesty means that the majority of people in Ireland who are pro-life are led to believe that they are in fact a minority. It has a chilling effect and reduces their likelihood to articulate their views honestly in public.
Some years ago the chattering class were full of the promise of a never-ending property spiral. They were aided and abetted by a self-interested media and political class. This groupthink cost the State dearly.
Right before our eyes the same groupthink is happening in the same political and media bubbles. Its time the people stood up for the right to life. We don’t have to repeat the mistakes of the past. Ireland is a safe place for mothers and their babies, with among one of the lowest maternal and perinatal mortality rates in the world. That is the simple truth the establishment don’t want the people to hear.
Yours etc.,
Dr Anne McCloskey,
Waterside, Derry.
We need to consider the ‘Benedict option’
Dear Editor, David Quinn makes important points in his article ‘The Irish Church and the Benedict option’ (IC 11/1/2017).
One can appreciate that many practicing Catholics are heavily influenced by our more secular culture and media in general. I think most of those who voted in favour of same-sex marriage may have been influences by the zeitgeist of the day and voted in favour of same-sex marriage both from an emotional response and by not wanting to be perceived as prejudiced.
However, in relation to the issue of abortion, I think the Church’s social teaching is particularly robust in challenging secular and liberal thinking. But as Catholics we do need a shot in the arm of the ‘Benedict option’, with proactive, evangelistic teaching by bishops, priests and catechists that highlight the argument that ethically one has to consider the outcomes of any action.
And so logically retaining the Eighth Amendment which aims to protect the life of both mother and unborn child whenever possible, is surely the morally right ethical position.
Yours etc.,
Frank Browne,
Templeogue,
Dublin 16.
Consequences of migration will linger
Dear Editor, Some time ago Pope Francis remarked that if each parish adopted one migrant family the problem could be resolved.
The migrant flow continues apace, it only hits the headlines when the deathtoll reaches double or triple figures.
We are at sixes and sevens in Europe, and sadly the traditional Catholic countries – such as Poland, Austria and Hungary – are the most intransigent. Dealing with migration is going to be a feature of our lives for the foreseeable future.
We should not make the mistakes of France and England, creating ghettos, where alienation and radicalisation abound.
Can we in the Catholic Church take Pope Francis’s suggestion seriously, could each parish adopt a family?
I don’t think we should wait for a response from the ‘Official Church’, that is the Bishops and clergy. My experience here to date has been somewhat underwhelming.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to tell Pope Francis when he comes here for the World Meeting of Families, that we have taken his advice and started practising Christianity.
Any takers?
Yours etc.,
Joe Manning,
Bagenalstown,
Co. Carlow.
