Courtney McGrailDear Editor, Ireland woke up the world on May 22. Two-thirds of voters gave a resounding “yes” to legalise marriage equality. Health minister, Leo Varadker, called it a vote for “liberty, equality and love”.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin named it part of the ongoing “social revolution,” demanding “a reality check” for the Church. It suggested wider dissatisfaction with our male-dominated, clerical Church. Priest shortage is acute. Clerical sex abuse of innocent children betrayed people’s trust. Faithful priests are tired “circuit-riders,” multiplying Sunday Masses. Some US seminarians decried this practice years ago. They wanted to be pastors, not “sacramental studs” (their term).
On Trinity Sunday, Archbishop Martin ordained a new crop of male permanent deacons, rejecting women, adding to male, clerical ranks, without alleviating priest shortage. Their non-sacramental ministry usurps the lay realm. Authorisation, not ordination, is appropriate. So much for a “reality check”!
Yours etc.,
Carmel McEnroy,
Renmore,
Galway.