A sense of balance on our clergy, please

Dear Editor, How correct actor Brendan Gleeson is in his assessment that priests “are now derided to a ludicrous degree” (IC, 10/4/14).

Ireland, as a people, seems to find it impossible to find the correct equilibrium in our society. In many ways, we are still struggling to emerge as a nation. In this emerging, a sense of balance is vitally important. In the past, it is correct, that the Church was held up too high and priests were on a pedestal. The difference now, of course, is that we have swung to the opposite extreme and, as Mr Gleeson points out, priests are considered subjects of public ridicule. The media has played a large part in the demonisation of the clergy. Whenever priests have committed terrible crimes this must be reported, but mention should also be made of the thousands of great priests – the overwhelming majority – who work tirelessly in the vineyard of the Lord and desire nothing other than the good of their parishioners.

Yours etc.,

Mary Cafferty,

Belfast,

Co. Antrim.