We must not tolerate political church gate collections

Dear Editor, I wish to congratulate Bishop Kevin Doran and Bishop Phoncie Cullinan on their recent statements on political church gate collections. I spent 50 years of my life in Australia and such collections would not be tolerated.

The political parties were very fast to close the Vatican embassy and have no shame in holding their political collections at all the churches in Ireland. The GAA also hold collections and not one of them spoke out in the recent marriage referendum, yet like the politicians they use churches for collections. I never saw a Garda inspect a permit nor do I see the collectors observe the proper distance from the church.

All these collections should be taken up after Mass. Why aren’t these collections taken up at football matches, race meetings and shopping arcades?

Your etc.,

Dr Andrew Maxwell, Glenties, Co. Donegal.