Dear Editor,
I must congratulate you on your editorial comment ‘The paralysing effects of negativity in the Church’ (IC 7/12/17). While if one counts numbers on pews with comparisons to the past, and if one reflects on recent scandals within our Church, one could be forgiven for being pessimistic. However if you get involved at a parish level and witness the numbers of people quietly giving witness to their Faith, from volunteering with the Society of St Vincent De Paul, to preparing children for the sacraments, or visiting the sick or bereaved, you will have hope for the future.
While within our secular culture it is a challenge for any young adult to consider a life-long commitment to religious life, many have made other commitments such as training to become parish pastoral workers, religion teachers or permanent deacons. Surely to have hope for the future of our Church, we need to have confidence in God, our own Faith and the power of the Spirit. It will take hard work too and effective leadership by those in authority but also a commitment from every practising Catholic to be proactive in speaking up for and living out our Gospel values.
Yours etc.,
Frank Browne,
Templeogue,
Dublin 16.
We don’t need a new translation of the Mass
Dear Editor,
Six years ago I wrote defending the new English translation of the Mass and I still think it serves to enrich the greatest and most beautiful sacrament of the Catholic Church. I do agree that the format of some of the opening prayers makes them difficult to read and comprehend but, as with any translated text, some of the original meaning is inevitably ‘lost in translation’. As the Mass is universal and can be prayed in any language this should not be an issue.
I recall that with the advent of the new translation there were several controversial changes in the liturgy. For example, the use of the word ‘consubstantial’ in the Nicene Creed was one of the stumbling blocks. However, as ‘consubstantial’ means to come from the same essence it makes it clearer that the three persons of the Holy Trinity all share the same identity and origin and are of the same substance. Not three different persons but three in one and one in three. If we do not accept this we may as well argue about the word ‘transubstantiation’ during which at the moment of consecration, by the grace of Faith, we believe that the two elements of bread and wine become the one substance; the body and blood of Christ.
We do not need yet another translation. What we do need is that the laity are given the opportunity to be catechesised so they can understand the meaning of and fully participate in the Mass. To stop and think about what they are saying; to start reading, digesting and pondering the beautiful words and phrases. This can give new life to and bring a new much needed awakening of the Holy Mass which is, after all, the representation of the greatest sacrifice ever made for mankind.
Yours etc.,
Christina Coakley,
Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo.
To set an old phrase burning
Dear Editor,
Of all the articles I have read on Paddy Kavanagh over the weeks gone by, Sr Una Agnew’s piece on his wonderful poem Advent is by far the most insightful (IC 7/12/17).
Not as nostalgic and popular as A Christmas Childhood, Advent is a far more unique achievement and one of Paddy’s richest gems. It does what it says on the tin: “It sets an old phrase burning.” So, I tip my hat to you, Sr Una, for bringing it to light, again.
Yours etc.,
Johnny Duhan,
Co. Galway.
Our chance to respect the sacred name
Dear Editor,
When I was a child, I was told that taking God’s name in ‘vain’ is a serious sin. Now it is used in a disparaging tone in every corner of our island. The feast day of the Holy name of Jesus falls on January 3. Perhaps that day could be a fasting day to mark our lack of respect and over-indulgence during Christmas.
Yours etc.,
Frances Smith,
Fiddaun, Kilkenny.
Time to re-locate holydays
Dear Editor,
Regarding proposed re-location of some holydays, I honestly believe either one of the two following procedures should be implemented.
Firstly, re-locate all present-day holydays to Sundays. Secondly, re-locate all to present day Bank holidays. At least on the latter days, all schools, universities, colleges, shops, businesses, etc, will be closed. In that event, more people will be resting and maybe taking time out to meditate on even attend mass.
At present, only a small percentage of Catholics attend mass on Sundays, not to mention holydays, not to mention teenagers.
At present, we also hear so many different opinions expressed even among clergy as to whether or not it is really a mortal sin for Catholics to miss mass on Sundays or Holydays through one’s own fault as outlined by the Catechism of the Catholic Church. What is the true answer?
Yours etc.,
Liam Gormley,
Greystones, Co. Wicklow.
The abortion debate is a mixture of profound sadness and absolute horror
Dear Editor,
Lord David Alton, a pro-life activist in the U.K. didn’t hesitate to share his views on the question of repeal of this amendment at the Pro-Life congress on December 3.
He said: “Irish people should think clearly before repealing the eighth Amendment. This repeal could send Ireland on the slippery slope that takes you down the quagmire we have in the UK.”
What happened in Britain 50 years ago in 1967 was the passing of the Abortion Act. Of course, it was intended only to allow abortion in Britain in certain circumstances – the usual ploy whenever abortion is legalised.
It became an alarming law with catastrophic consequences. At that time, only a handful of MPs recognised it for what it was and became. Where will the downward spiral end in Britain and when?
Winston Churchill was in fact the only person who saw with clarity for many years what Hitler and his regime were setting out quietly and furtively in Germany – the making of a pure Arian race.
Eugenic abortions and genocide are not healthy propositions. Down Syndrome children encouraged to be aborted is a total travesty of justice.
Getting back to Britain, a staggering 8,894,355 babies have lost their lives – one death every three minutes, 20 lives every hour. €858,505,490 of taxpayers’ money has been paid on to private sector abortionists. These figures are only for the last decade in the UK. That country is not interested in women in tragic circumstances.
Britain is now in a place of formidable, incalculable suffering that has brought in its wake a loss of human life that is almost unimaginable.
I have to refer back to what Lord Alton said when expressing concern over eugenic abortion. He said that in the UK, a baby with a disability can be aborted up to and including at birth and that baby girls had been aborted purely because of their gender. Lord Alton didn’t mention Down Syndrome babies – not an oversight I am sure but the human can only digest so much evil in one reading.
Anyone who values the inherent right of any child to be born whatever their disability, situation, or any reason at all or whatever circumstances can concur with Lord Alton’s view of the current abortion debate in Ireland with a mixture of profound sadness and absolute horror.
Yours etc.,
Séan O’Grady,
Co. Sligo.