Referendum defeat is an opportunity

Dear Editor, The catastrophic result of the recent referendum is paradoxically a wonderful opportunity to enlighten Irish Catholic life. I would like to make a specific suggestion that the teachings of John Paul II on the Theology of the Body be an excellent source material. By extension this would lead to discussing the whole meaning of human existence. I write from no moral high ground on this (in fact the opposite).

He discusses how celibacy and married life are interlinked, both requiring a sincere gift of self. The beauty of human sexuality shines clearly as opposed to the counterfeit being propagated unceasingly almost everywhere.

Perhaps a year could be devoted to the prayerful study of St Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. Here God’s plan for humanity is set out in the first 14 lines. Sadly the pontificates of John Paul II and Benedict XVI have been largely overlooked in Ireland since 1979.

Yours etc.,

Ciaran Cahill,

Skerries, Co. Dublin.