Dear Editor, Greg Daly’s analysis piece, (IC 26/07/18) on the proposed referendum to remove the Constitution’s provision on blasphemy, and the associated Defamation Act 2009, was a timely reminder that it works, is important, and is a model for other countries.
The purpose of the Constitution is to outline the standards we aspire to live by while the law of the land is there to protect us and to provide a means by which grievances can be resolved amicably. Our current situation does both unobtrusively, in much the same way as the smoking or hose-pipe bans have achieved their objectives; almost unnoticed.
To be found guilty of the offense of blasphemy, one must not only cause widespread offence amongst a religious grouping but be found to have acted with this intention. Works of genuine literary, artistic, political, scientific or academic value are not subject to it.
Its existence is comforting to all who value free speech, democracy and who wish to live in a Republic that values “parity of esteem” for all its citizens, because history is replete with examples of where the unscrupulous recalibration of public opinion made sectarian hate-crimes, discrimination and persecution acceptable.
Far from deleting our legislation, we ought to commend it to other countries, particularly those like Pakistan, where laws lack objectivity, resulting in accusations by individuals being pursued with all the vigour of private vendettas.
All of the above leads me to dismiss this proposed referendum as contrary to our society’s commitment to values of fundamental human decency, our abhorrence of language that locks others in negative stereotypes and our belief that every religious group is worthy of that respect which allows them to participate fully and at all levels in society.
Yours etc.,
Gearóid Duffy,
Lee Road,
Cork.
Accusation of discrimination needed explanation
Dear Editor, On reading your report on ‘liberal lay group accuses WMOF of discrimination’ I was disappointed that you simply published this claim without informing us of the make-up of this group together with an explanation as to why they deserved publicity.
It’s bad enough having to read of them in the secular press but in The Irish Catholic I expected that there would be some examination of this group and why they should be given a platform to criticise Catholic Church teaching. They are certainly not ‘Church’ as the Catholic Church is, according to the Creed, one apostolic Church. If they do not accept the Creed they have no right to claim to be part of our Church.
Any motley crew can make a claim to be part of the Church while refusing to accept its teaching, and I may add, not its teaching, but that of Jesus who promised to be with it always after appointing Peter as leader. Therefore, surely it is reasonable to expect that they should be questioned on their claim while pointing out that they are simply objectors and as such hardly deserve coverage in The Irish Catholic except by robust interrogation of their claim ‘we are Church’.
Yours etc.,
Mary Stewart,
Ardeskin,
Donegal Town.
How is it wrong to stop blasphemy?
Dear Editor, Charlie Flanagan’s plan to remove the blasphemy offence from our Constitution to enhance our international reputation is nothing more than an excuse to remove God further from our nation. Greg Daly’s assertion (26/7/18 IC) that God can defend Himself is true.
In this world we have free will to love God, or reject Him, and God does not interfere with this. If we loved God, should we not try to stop him being blasphemed against?
David Kelly,
Crumlin,
Dublin 12.
Pope’s ruling on capital punishment is welcome
Dear Editor, My ears buzzed with delight when I heard that Pope Francis had changed Church teaching on the death penalty, granting that it was no longer admissible to be implemented. To me, I was always baffled as a Catholic why it was permitted given the belief that all life has inherent dignity and worth.
This means that at a very fundamental level, the value of one’s life is not contingent upon actions, either positive or negative, but based solely on the notion that we are all made in the image of God. Just like abortion, who are to take away the life of somebody – and who are we to judge who is more ‘deserving’ of receiving the penalty than others?
We are all guilty of sin and God is the sole arbiter of our fate. With this news in mind, I rejoice in knowing that many prisoners will now have the opportunity to repent of their crimes and will hopefully find a loving and caring God at the end of that process.
Yours etc.,
James Cullen,
Clondalkin,
Dublin 22.
Mass is anchor of our Church
Dear Editor, I am delighted that the Pope is coming to Ireland and that people are allowed to express their thoughts.
I grew up in a very religious home and was always attending Mass. I had never fully appreciated/understood the importance of the Mass until my teenage years, when a sermon was preached about the Mass at an annual mission.
On one evening of the mission, the priest spoke on the topic: “It’s the Mass that matters.” He spoke plainly about the meaning of the Mass and emphasised it in terms I, as a young boy, could understand.
I feel this sort of explanation for all people, young and old would be most beneficial. He is now 70 plus years old and this sermon has stayed with me. It has had a powerful and lasting impact on me. I believe the Mass is the anchor of the Catholic Church. I look forward to the Pope trying to reenergize the Mass and bring it back to the level of the people.
Yours etc.,
Joe Smith,
Shercock, Co. Cavan.
Treatment of religious is outrageous
Dear Editor, As a committed practising Roman Catholic, I wish to object in the strongest possible manner to the appalling abuse, being meted out, on a daily basis, to our Church, our priests, nuns and religious. It is fashionable in Ireland to criticise, sneer at and condemn our Church and its representatives.
Particularly, in Irish media circles, there is an imbalance when it comes to reporting on all Catholic Church matters. We have the most dedicated hard working and kind priests and nuns, and yet they are suffering constant insults every day.
For most of my life I have worked closely with priests and religious in Ireland and with Missionary priests in Africa and never once, even as a young child did I have any fear of being with them. It is my experience that we were blessed and are blessed to have them.
Yours etc.,
Helen O’Brien,
Bishopstown, Co. Cork.
Fair play, transport chiefs!
Dear Editor, I think it’s wonderful that public transport in Dublin will be free for the Pope’s visit this month. It may be the case that the sheer number of people paying would lead to a bureaucratic overload, but I think it’s also a kind gesture showing that this is an historic event and nothing should stop people from experiencing it.
Yours etc.,
Mary Devine,
Galway City,
Galway.
