Bishops right to speak up on collections

Dear Editor, Bishop Doran of Elphin and Bishop Cullinan of Waterford are to be applauded for tackling political parties who do church gate collections and consistently advocated policies and introduced legislation which undermines marriage and the right to life of the unborn child (IC David Quinn 23/07/2015). 

I wonder will our other bishops and parish priests have the courage to follow suit? When pro-life people were outside churches in 2013, informing massgoers of Enda Kenny’s impending abortion legislation for suicidal mothers, some priests got a bit hot under the collar and were unhelpful. Genuine pro-life charities do not get or apply for Government funding as they cannot undermine God’s law in these areas. Also, I congratulate independent TD Mattie McGrath who recently called on parties to end the hypocrisy (IC 23/07/2015).

The bishops and indeed massgoers should now research charities who also do church gate collections and undermine Church teaching in these and other areas including their neutral stance or silence. It is up to all of us who are sincere in our faith to discern which charities to support.

Yours etc.,

Ann Campbell,

Scotstown,

Co. Monaghan