Dear Editor, As someone who takes an interest in American politics I was surprised at the cynical and dismissive tone adopted by Michael W Higgins towards any candidate who expresses faith in God in his latest article (IC 18/02/2016). The USA, like Ireland, has become a cold place for people of faith, in particular Catholics, in recent years and I believe people like Senator Rubio and even Ted Cruz should be admired for acknowledging faith in God in their campaigns.
Michael appears to favour Hillary Clinton “who plays the religion card rarely” and he laughingly uses the word “temperate” when describing her. Prof. Higgins is clearly sticking to the mainstream secular opinion that religious belief must be feared, dismissed, ridiculed and controlled. If you ask me, Ireland could do with one or two Marco Rubios.
Yours etc.,
Sean Grace,
Malahide,
Co. Dublin.
Ireland broke its promise on overseas aid commitment
Dear Editor, In this election campaign, as far as I know, no politician has raised our nation’s default on 31/12/2015 on honouring our solemn international aid commitment.
Sometimes politicians break their commitments, but broken commitments to ourselves are not of the same order as a broken commitment to other countries particularly when the commitment is to the poorest of all in the world. Such a failure is not just a failure to deliver to others. It is also a failure in our commitment to the values of justice and equality that we espouse.
And unlike the usual promises of politicians this was a promise made by a nation, by a people, by us, and since we live in a democracy it is ultimately we who are responsible for the consequences.
A promise made is a debt unpaid. 0.7% of our gross national income was the promise solemnly given to the United Nations and specifically on behalf of the people of Ireland. Just half, 0.35%, was our part payment. The balance is estimated at 35,900 lives to be lost and a population the size of our own left languishing in dire need. We are better than this. Now is the time to honour our commitment because now is always the right time to honour our values. It is in honouring our values that we gain solidarity. We gain confidence and security from consistency. If we dishonour the values we espouse by reneging on a commitment with such consequences how then can we be confident of anything?
Yours etc.,
Aidan Barry,
Farnanes, Co. Cork.
We need to activate the Year of Mercy
Dear Editor, Having noted Mary Kenny’s column on the film Spotlight (IC 04/02/2016), on 70 priest abusers discovered by an investigative team in Boston USA, the film credits reveal 249 priest abusers identified. My heart goes out to all wounded victims of abuse and their families. We need to activate the Year of Mercy, reminding ourselves that not one of us can “throw the first stone”. However we can seek justice. Those who protect abusers are not doing them any good as they are leaving them to fall into the hands of God’s Justice. Those who protect them will be answerable at death.
Each Catholic can contribute by repentance and by going to the Holy Doors on pilgrimage while praying for the Pope’s intentions. While offering daily plenary indulgences for our families and ancestors, let us also offer them for both abuse victims and their abusers. This is activated mercy and will heal us spiritually. For those who cannot go on pilgrimage an act of prayerful charity while praying for the Pope’s intentions will gain the indulgence. The corporal and spiritual works of mercy are open to all: Feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, almsgiving, comfort the sorrowful, forgive injuries, counsel the doubtful and pray for the living and deceased etc. Indifference is a real enemy!
Yours etc.,
Nollaig M. Ni Mhaoileoin,
Maynooth,
Co. Kildare.
Unnecessary safeguarding protocols alienating priests
Dear Editor, Congratulations to Fr Patrick Cahill on highlighting very important issues with regard to our Church safeguarding procedures (Letters IC 11/02/2016). He cites instances he is aware of where youth events have been adversely affected by our overly stringent regulations. This scenario is repeated on a regular basis across every parish in the country and while we have monitoring and audits on every aspect of our policies, this negative and detrimental side-effect of our policies is being totally ignored.
In insisting on unnecessary protocols in relation to priests’ ID, signing daily registers, supervision, etc. we are, I believe, colluding with the media in presenting an image of priests as being a ‘special category’ when it comes to child protection issues. Is it any wonder that, as surveys have shown, the general public believe the number of erring priests is in the high percentage bracket, if we are deemed to be in need of this constant surveillance, and are subject to procedures and monitoring way beyond that which applies to teachers or other professionals who are dealing with children.
The rights of individual priests and opinions of ordinary parishioners have been completely ignored in this top-down approach and I can only hope that Fr Cahill’s plea for a more ground-up model and a change in our current practice will be heard, before as he says, our ageing Church collapses, altogether.
Yours etc.,
Fr Finian Connaughton,
Drumconrath, Co. Meath.
Reluctance to avail of alternatives to priests
Dear Editor, Martin Clynes (Letters IC 11/02/2016) suggests “a parallel model for others within the Church” as a reserve for the lack of the Eucharist, with dwindling numbers of priests. Ordination apart, to provide the consecrated Eucharistic service, there are countries like South Africa where Eucharistic Ministers are trained and rostered to conduct such services daily (without a homily), even for Saturday Vigil Masses (where a priest supplies the homily to be read). This is especially in parishes run by busy English province Jesuits. Ministers are also trained to conduct burial services for Catholics in the five funeral parlours around Johannesburg.
Ministers involved wear a “chalb” or full-length, cream-coloured gown of heavy material with a crucifix worn around the neck and of course have the usual liturgical books.
As also with the permanent diaconate, some countries seem reluctant to avail of permissible alternatives while solutions for increasing full vocations are sought.
Yours etc.,
Pat Morgan,
Wexford, Co. Wexford
Application of Eighth Amendment based on common sense
Dear Editor, Recently, in a moment of stillness and quiet, I took time out to re-read the wording of the Eighth Amendment: “The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right.”
How beautiful. I wonder how many countries, if they understood the meaning of this sentence correctly, would want it included in their Constitution. It is a sentence that protects future generations, mothers, doctors, nurses, medical staff and families from ruthlessness and exploitation.
In sad and difficult situations the health of a woman and mother is protected by the words “as far as practicable”, which only requires common sense for its application. How is it possible that this one sentence has become so demonised in our present day society?
Yours etc.,
Judith Leonard,
Raheny, Dublin 5.