Dear Editor, Mary Kenny’s article ‘A little clarification please, Mrs McAleese’ (IC 29/08/19) reminds us all that Mrs McAleese “supported repeal’’, in her own words “with a heart and a half’’.
This support for repeal and its drastic consequences was clearly more than a half-hearted and reluctant ‘Yes’ vote. Mrs McAleese’s own words indicate an enthusiastic embrace for the rapid development of an abortion culture in Irish medicine and society.
It is hard to see how the recent tragic death by deliberate medical termination of a much loved and perfectly healthy 15-week-old unborn baby in Holles Street hospital can but give a pause for thought for those hugely influential public figures like Mrs McAleese who actively promoted repeal of that poor baby’s only worthwhile legal protection.
The megaphone impact on the debate by enthusiastic ‘Yes’ advocates like Mrs McAleese completely drowned out the voices of the many pro-life feminists on the ‘No’ side. These voices may have been effectively silenced but nevertheless they still articulate powerful truths.
The Irish pro-life community must not give up hope, because the truth is hidden in plain sight. The following words offer us hope and serve as an irresistible call to action: “There is a day coming when we will hear the voice from inside the womb, when its own authentic pain will be undeniable, when we know for certain that it is saying , ‘I want to live. I have a right to live. I do not need your permission to live’.”
How could anyone with a human heart or even a “heart and a half’’ not be moved to speak up for today’s innocent voiceless babies by those powerful words?
Yours etc.,
Raymond McIntyre,
Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.
Interpretation of Scripture requires much thought
Dear Editor, It is reported that the Archbishop of Canterbury said religious people must examine their own faith and discern whether any of its traditional teachings could lead to the justification of violence (IC 05/09/12). It’s common to associate extremist acts with Islam, but Pope Francis has also said Christianity can be interpreted in a not-so-peaceful light. In 2016, Francis said: “It is true that the idea of conquest is inherent in the soul of Islam. However, it is also possible to interpret the objective in Matthew’s Gospel, where Jesus sends his disciples to all nations, in terms of the same idea of conquest.”
His remarks remind us that there are multivalent interpretations of Scripture, which can be used for our own self-serving needs. Instead of ignoring parts of the Bible which are difficult to read, dig deep into them and try to understand the true meaning behind them.
Yours etc.,
Seán Moloney,
Tallaght, Dublin, 24.
Don’t get rid of Missalettes, they are a great help
Dear Editor, I think it’s preposterous that Catholics are considering the cessation of Missalettes (IC 05/12/19). It’s true that they can be a distraction as people tend to read them during the priest’s homily, but the majority of parishioners reap great spiritual benefit from them.
Firstly, many people are able to engage with and process the Mass content better when they can read what’s happening. Secondly, I know many people like to bring the missalettes home to ruminate and spiritually reflect on the readings. Those who are not religious might even pick it up at home to give it a read, which is an added bonus. It would be a mistake to stop their production.
Yours etc.,
Ronan McIntee,
Drogheda,
Co. Louth.
Stormont rally was inspirational
Dear Editor, It was inspiring to see 20,000 people gather at Stormont to fight the pro-life cause. An extremely liberal abortion bill is soon to be law in the North without the consent of the country’s citizens. Rather than complain from our sofas, activists and pro-life supporters had the courage and vision to congregate and silently protest against this unjust law. Of course, many newspapers and media outlets chose not to give this memorable moment in the North’s history any notice. No surprise there. If the law is enacted, pro-life people can look back and say that they did not give up without a fight.
Yours etc.,
Rebecca Guiney,
Belfast City,
Belfast.
My scepticism is waning after hearing Marion’s story
Dear Editor, I’m usually very sceptical about miracles, but upon hearing the story of Marion Carroll, I’m beginning to reconsider.
She had multiple sclerosis for 17 years and was unable to walk. She was brought into Knock Shrine on a stretcher and when blessed by the Eucharist stood up and walked through the home of her front door that evening. The healing was formally recognised last week and there is currently no medical answer to explain what happened – and that conclusion isn’t surprising given how bizarre the circumstances are.
She was bound by a destructive illness and was cured immediately upon receiving the blessing. It seems to defy all possibility, and for someone who is usually very rationalistic about stories like this, I’ve been left stumped. My only option is to believe that there was some form of supernatural intervention. Given that the Bible speaks frequently about miracles, I should perhaps be less sceptical about their occurrences.
Yours etc.,
Gerard Murphy,
Cork City,
Cork