Courtney McGrailDear Editor, The unimaginable has happened – same-sex marriage is now legal in Ireland, voted in by the Catholic population. This is surreal. This is despite the best herculean efforts on the ground by dedicated groups of lay people.
However the timid instruction from the shepherds was very weak, with no mention of Jesus Christ and that gay marriage was an occasion of mortal sin.
Why has this tragedy come about? Very defective catechesis over the past 45 years and this is the reality now. All those young people who voted know little or nothing about their Faith, its inspiring history, its prayerfulness and charitable works over two millennia, its witness to Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, its contribution to the evangelisation of Europe and beyond. Over the years repeated complaints to the hierarchy about catechetical material like the infamous Alive O have been ignored. Solid Catholic doctrine taught in catechisms up to 1970 was jettisoned to make way for a new experiential type of teaching (no mention of sin and consequences of hell) with disastrous results. The vineyard of Ireland is now in meltdown.
This is a huge wakeup call for bishops, priests, teachers and parents who bear the responsibility for this tragic situation. It is now time for a call to repentance, reflection and a gigantic renewal effort.
Yours etc.,
Jim O’Sullivan, Bantry, Co. Cork.