The immorality of the ‘triple lock’
Dear Editor, David Quinn is one of the finest writers in Ireland today, but I was surprised at the naiveté of his recent piece supporting the so-called ‘triple lock’ (IC, February 26).
In simple terms the ‘triple lock’ requires the permission of the UN Security Council before the Irish defence forces can be deployed abroad, which in practice gives China and Russia a veto over any such decision.
Mr Quinn points out that the policy dates back to 1960, at a time when the Soviet Union posed an existential threat to the West, and asks “why is it worse that Putin has a veto over where our peacekeepers go than either Khrushchev or Mao?”
The answer to this question is, quite simply, that for the first 60 years of the existence of the United Nations, Russia and China did not have a policy of vetoing peace-keeping missions. Between 1960 and 2014, a total of 60 peace-keeping missions were approved by the United Nations, with Ireland taking part in 13 of them.
Since the turn of the century, however, China has been asserting its economic and military might on the global stage and Russia has become progressively more belligerent, with both countries flexing their muscles within their geographic spheres of influence.
This has led to both countries having a selfish desire to prevent peace-keeping missions from being deployed in areas of the world where they have selfish strategic interests. The net result is that no United Nations peacekeeping mission has been approved since 2014.
The triple lock is not only immoral, by prohibiting us from deploying troops to assist in war torn countries, it is also an astonishing abrogation of Irish sovereignty by giving the gangster dictatorships of China and Russia an absolute veto over the decisions of the democratically elected representatives of the Irish people in Dáil Eireann.
For these reasons, the farcical ‘triple lock’ should be abolished by the Oireachtas as a matter of urgency.
Yours etc,
Barry Walsh
Clontarf, Dublin 3
Holocaust education is key to peace in the Holy Land
Dear Editor, Since WWII the Jewish population in Europe has been small, especially in Ireland. Many of the Jews who survived the Holocaust sought refuge in their homeland because, quite understandably, they did not feel safe in Europe. Since the start of the war in Gaza, anti-Jewish sentiment has increased with more Jews seeking to flee to the Holy Land.
Many innocent people were killed in the war in Gaza, however, many Jews especially of the new generation are opposed to this war. The older generation of Jews remember the Holocaust, when many European nations did not help Jews in their time of need and that is why the Israeli government ignores protests from other nations concerning the war.
The Hebrew Bible (The Tanakh) which forms the basis for the Old Testament, describes the conquest of the Holy Land by Israel, however the New Testament interprets this as a spiritual battle of good over evil led by Jesus; but how can we condemn Jews when the New Testament teaches that Israel will be the last nation to accept Jesus as the Messiah.
Many nations suffered huge losses during WWII and many were killed in concentration camps. However, only the nation of Israel was marked out for extermination and this has led to a national trauma that can only be healed with intense compassion and understanding.
The best thing that we can do to call for peace in The Holy Land is to appeal to Rome that The Holocaust Memorial Day is observed in every Catholic secondary school in Europe. I believe that Pope Leo, who intends to build bridges of reconciliation, would support this.
Yours etc,
Andrew Kieran
Emmaus Greenwich, London
Ireland should adopt ‘No to War’ practice
Dear Editor, “No a la guerra”. Those are the words this week by Pedro Sanchez, the Prime Minister of Spain, in answer to Mr Trump’s words that trade with Spain may be cut off.
It is of immeasurable value that someone has the guts to stand up for international law and for peace.
“Epic Fury”, the US military campaign in the Middle East, has cost, according to estimates, already more than 3.7 billion dollars during the first 100 hours. In those first hours 175 people, mostly schoolgirls between 7–12 years of a girl school in Iran were massacred by precision bombs, a strike which has not been claimed by US or Israel.
Let’s never forget these massacred Iranian schoolgirls and their grieving families and never lose sight that children always pay the highest price in all wars in the world.
As at present there are many discussions about what Taoiseach Michéal Martin may say or not say during his up-coming visit with Mr Trump in the Oval Office. However, I suggest that we perhaps first may see the role of Ireland in a much longer perspective.
If Ireland maintains its position as a non-member of NATO and if it would strictly adhere to the practice of neutrality (which at present is not the case), then Ireland could be in a special privileged position to be a mediator for peace and reconciliation in the Middle East.
Whether the current war takes a 100 days, or 100 years, we all know that eventually the warring parties need to sit around a table and come up with a peace deal, based on justice and respecting International Law.
Let’s stand together now with Spain in a “No to War” practice, with a view to hopefully become mediators for justice, peace and respect for international law.
Yours etc,
Myriam Mac Cionnaith
Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Five steps towards priestly vocations
Dear Editor, The heartening and positively delightful news, given to us by our bishop and the vocations directors and his supporters in our diocese that we have six seminarians currently studying in Rome and Maynooth offers hope.
Of course, working for priestly vocations has to be a priority for all of us. Jesus demands it, for His Church: “pray the Lord of the harvest for workers for the harvest”. We should feel privileged to do this.
Firstly, in families. Parents must talk to their children about the faith and the priestly life and the possibility of following that way, as they pray daily in the home together.
Secondly, priests, in parishes and associated with schools, should ensure that they make this a priority too. They should be delighted to share the joy of priestly life with children who ask in the classroom or at Mass serving, “why did you become a priest?”
Thirdly, the bishops do and should continue to urge and lead prayer and work for priestly vocations. They should be more vocal in this and not be cowed into silence by some sections of the media pointing to their imminent demise. Nor should they be deterred by the rantings of a former President of Ireland on priesthood and Church life, or the incursions of a certain Jesuit, recently advocating with pseudo-theological and liturgical reasons, disturbance of the traditional priestly calling and life.
Fourthly, we should endeavour by well thought out strategies, means and well equipped persons of faith, to enter the 3rd level institutes and universities to put before students, at their very idealistic stage of life, the call to priesthood.
Fifthly, post primary students are also fertile territory, for being informed about the priestly calling and way of life. Opportunities to visit and talk with them must not be lost but must be positively on the agenda.
Yours etc,
Fr Patrick A Moore
Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath
Fulfilling the obligation at Mass
Dear Editor, The significance of the Mass in Catholic life is emphasised very strongly in a piece by D. D. Emmons (IC January 29), noting in particular that attendance is a grave obligation. A letter in response from Paddy Shannon (IC February 12) recalls a situation where the obligation was fulfilled by attendance from the Offertory to Communion. I clearly remember that interpretation about fulfilling the obligation, keeping in mind that failure to fulfill the obligation could have serious consequences for the person’s immortal soul.
In this age of dwindling Mass attendance, I believe that those still attending Mass have a more mature attitude to strict observance of all these rules. If they miss Mass one week, they are likely to be back the next week. I am sure that most priests are happy to welcome all those attending, even if they do not fulfill the letter of the obligation.
Yours etc,
Michael Walsh
Clontarf, Dublin 3
A reminder after International Women’s Day
Dear Editor, In the current climate of trying to do away with the word ‘woman’, and of undermining their rights at every turn, I think it is a good time to look at how the Church looks on women.
In Genesis Chapter 2, we encounter a tender and intimate creation of man and woman. Unfortunately, with the creation of ‘woman’, the Hebrew word ezer is limply translated as ‘helper’, conveying the idea that woman is, in some way, subservient to man.
But, the word ezer is used about 16 times in the Old Testament to describe God’s relationship with His people. God is not subservient to anyone. He is saviour, rock, protector, rescuer of man. His idea of women is exactly the same.
What a beautiful and powerful message this would be for us all, especially in these times. And, what a beautiful reading it would be for the marriage ceremony. As it currently stands, no one in their right mind would dare use it in that context.
Yours etc,
Malachy Duffin
Randalstown, Co. Antrim