Dear Editor, The stalwarts of the prolife movement continue the fight for life on many frontlines these days and yet we still don’t see the big picture.
I heard a discussion the other day which made me jump; it was not focused on the numbers aborted or the horrifying array of methods or the blindness and callous hearts of the people involved. It asked the question ‘who is missing from our world?’
In every age and nation, God has always provided what (and who) was needed at any given moment in history. Whilst everyone has their own unique role, the destiny of some is far reaching in their impact. Scientists like Alexander Fleming who discovered Penicillin, social reformers like Florence Nightingale who formalised the nursing profession, or statesmen like Churchill holding back the tide of Nazism and of course our own Saviour.
There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that during a discussion between Hilary Clinton and Mother Teresa, the former asked why she thought there had been no female President of the United States; to which Mother Teresa responded “she was probably aborted”.
Whether we realise it or not, our societies are impoverished to an ever-increasing extent; we have no way of evaluating it but we are all unknowingly suffering the consequences of it.
As Ireland stands on the precipice, with its abortion referendum looming, I hope the people will remember those who gave them the gift of life, the sacrifices they made for them, the love extended to them and vote to ‘protect’ the next generation, many of whom may otherwise not see the light of day.
Yours etc.,
Stephen A. Clark,
Manila,
Philippines.
Mary McAleese is anything but a prophet
Dear Editor, Mary McAleese’s very public challenge to the Church has generated quite a considerable amount of comment which no doubt will continue to rumble on.
She seems to believe that there is a central steering committee in the Vatican, which can formulate the truths of our Faith in keeping with prevailing fashions, and she is particularly exercised by the areas of sexuality and the ministerial priesthood.
The dynamic motif of male and female, from which all fruitfulness flows, is present right from the prologue to Bible, where we hear that “male and female he created them”, through the Prophets where God is envisaged as a bridegroom wooing a wayward bride, and the Song of Songs where the soul is presented as feminine, until it reaches its crescendo in the presentation of Jesus as the Bridegroom laying down His life to win a holy bride, His Church.
Viewed in this way it is entirely fitting that the Old Testament priests, Jesus and that those who affect His priestly ministry in each generation would be males. It would be indeed strange if any Pope having the role of confirming the Faith of those who have turned back to God (Luke 22:32), would depart from this.
Mary McAleese’s assertion that the Church is misogynistic, seems to miss the point, that the mentality which accompanies the abortion industry, is the real purveyor of hatred of all things uniquely feminine; fertility, pregnancy, motherhood. Worldwide about 150 million females are missing due to sex-selective abortions.
Finally, Mary McAleese has been hailed as a prophet, but judging by compliments being showered upon her, she is anything but a prophet.
Yours etc.,
Gearóid Duffy,
Lee Road, Cork.
There is only one answer to give : ‘No’
Dear Editor, As the ‘hard cases’ such as rape, incest, and babies with life limiting conditions will not be separately listed as options on the Eighth Amendment Referendum ballot paper the only reasonable action for those who do not want abortion on demand is to vote NO.
Yours etc.,
John Burke,
Clontarf,
Dublin 3.
Who are we to deny equal value to the unjustly and the justly conceived?
Dear Editor, The great trouble in the world is, as long as there are children brought into the world for reasons less than love of God, there is always going to be war and conflict. The evidence of what I say is in the Bible. It is written: “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” God, by the prophet Nathan, reacted to the criminal adultery by King David.
Who then are we to give equal value to the unjust and the justly conceived? Are we superior to God? There are two laws of God operating in the world today. The law of Moses that judges severely those who don’t live by it, and the law of Christ which is the spirit of charity by which he said, “judge not and you will not be judged”. Those who live under the law of Christ are not in any danger by those who don’t because they come under the law of Moses. This law has not been invalidated. Christ said he came to perfect it.
Yours etc.,
Terence J. Joyce,
Plessala,
France.
A support network exists for those in need of it
Dear Editor, On one hand we have heart-breaking stories of the Magdalene laundries and then the equally heart-breaking headlines on the Mother and Baby homes. On the other hand, we have the upcoming referendum on repealing the Eighth Amendment.
In times gone by, there were few options open to unmarried women who found themselves pregnant. There was little or no support from the State or from the parents to ensure that these women could keep their babies.
Now, thankfully we have a good support network for women in this situation.
It makes you wonder, had we legalised abortion in this country back then, how many of these children would have a voice today. So the question is: are we a country who protects the vulnerable or are we a country of hypocrites?
Yours etc.,
Cynthia Grimes,
Navan,
Co. Meath.
Steady on with the titles
Dear Editor, David Quinn’s piece entitled ‘Welcome Bishop Jordan Peterson’ (IC 5/04/18) was an interesting read. Like David, I recently started watching some videos of Dr Peterson on the internet, and subsequently read his book. Although the advice is nothing new such as ‘make your bed’ or ‘befriend the right people’, he explains it in a way as to sound almost revolutionary. He is able to integrate biblical and psychological themes into his prose with such flow and sophistication that you eagerly await to see what he says next. I would however be hesitant to glorify him with the appellation ‘bishop’. Although he has a love for the Bible, he has explicitly said he is not Catholic and so we must be careful not to forget that.
Yours etc.,
Paul O’Leary,
Tallaght, Dublin 24.
Unwarranted arrogance
Dear Editor, I think the comments Senator Catherine Noone made on Easter Sunday were completely uncalled for. She criticised a priest for bringing up the issue of abortion in Mass and then had the audacity to say that no wonder people are “disillusioned” by the Church. The Eighth Amendment is a focal point in Ireland at the moment, and of course priests across all dioceses are going to speak about it. If you don’t want to hear their opinion, don’t attend Mass. She also described the priest as “octogenarian”, implying that his opinion on the matter was invalid because of his age. Everybody has a right to speak about issues of concern, and no one should be ignored based on their age – any belief otherwise is pure arrogance.
Yours etc.,
Sióbhan Downey,
Derry City,
Co. Derry.
