Dear Editor, For many years I was a member of the Society of St Vincent de Paul. I was shocked to read the article which said that the society will adopt no stance in the referendum on the Eighth Amendment, and will offer no advice to its members, regarding their decision on how to vote as a personal one (IC 12/4/2018).
In my time as a member, the society while having its own organisational and governance structure, saw itself as an integral part of the Catholic Church and was deeply embedded in the parish structure. In relation to the referendum on such a fundamental issue as the life of the unborn, there is only one Catholic position, that is to defend the life of the unborn, and as the bishops have made clear the retention of the Eighth Amendment is required to do that. This is not like other referenda where a range of attitudes might be consistent with a Catholic faith position. A ‘no stance’ position is not consistent with being a Catholic organisation.
I am equally disturbed when I look at the website of the society in Ireland. Remarkably the sections ‘About Us’, ‘Mission Statement’ and ‘History and Spirituality’ do not contain the word Catholic. Reference to the founder Frederic Ozanam makes no reference to his being one of the leading Catholic intellectuals of his time, and that his founding of the society was the outworking of his deep Catholic faith. In my time as a member, there was no ambiguity about the position that the society was a Catholic organisation which welcomed other Christians as members.
Something has changed at a fundamental level. I have spoken to two parish priests who have expressed deep concern about the position now adopted by the society on the referendum. It is time for a close examination of the SVP in Ireland. It is a wonderful organisation with a simple and powerful model of charitable assistance. I hope it can return to its roots as a Catholic organisation with its primary activity delivered through the Catholic parish structure.
Yours etc.,
Declan O’Loan,
Ballymena,
Co. Antrim.
The lost must see God reflected in lives of believers
Dear Editor, “Twelve months of winter and the rest is summer” was an expression known by every Zek (prisoner) in the Gulags during the Soviet era and I understand that much of Europe has had a share in the Siberian Spring this year. Coldness is unpleasant and the more severe and protracted the more painful it becomes.
It’s not the only thing that has gone cold in Europe though; they made the same mistake as the Soviets, as Solzhenitsyn put it describing his nation’s woes “Men have forgotten God”.
Recent studies among European youth back this up; even the leftovers of a vague identification with cultural Christianity are evaporating with only small percentages in some countries still believing, even less attending church weekly.
We cannot imagine how it feels for the Lord to live in hearts that have frozen over with the frigidity of atheism or indifference. What a cold dark space he must now occupy, much like that of a forgotten prisoner!
In a continent that has replaced God’s authority with its own autonomy, those who are still faithful will need to strive all the more to keep faith alive in their own hearts, gathering round the tabernacles as those who are cold get in close to a stove, and have Him warm their hearts. Then, as they are ignited by prayer and works of mercy, His love can grow in them and overflow into the world. The only way for the lost to find their way home is to see God reflected in the lives of believers and to be the recipients of the fruits of their life of prayer and service.
Yours etc.,
Stephen A. Clark,
Manila, Philippines.
Pope’s words more relevant
Dear Editor, It is to be hoped that the Holy Father will visit Northern Ireland next August after all (Reports/Comment, 29/3/2018). But where the Pope goes matters less than what he says. A message from him in advance of next month’s referendum in support of the retention of the Eighth Amendment would certainly increase the pro-Life vote; it might even make the difference between defeat and victory for that essential cause.
Yours etc.,
C.D.C. Armstrong,
Belfast, Co. Antrim.
Bishop Xiaoting’s make-believe views
Dear Editor, John Allen Jr’s ‘Letter from Rome’ (IC 29/3/2018) stretched credibility. His primary foundation for his assertion – “Vatican pact with China is not ‘deal with devil’” – was the Vatican/China State approved Bishop Xiaoting, in effect an agent of the state. Mr Allen is surely more streetwise than to swallow Xiaoting’s make-believe, and hopefully not so hubristic as to think informed readers are naïve enough to accept his own hypothesis.
Unfortunately for Mr Allen, in early April global secular media subsequently reported on China’s new ban of online sales of the Bible. This on top of the already banned sale of Bibles in shops. This is yet another restriction on religion which negates Xioting’s “optimistic” (a la John Allen) fantasy that the state does not attempt to control education.
During a recent briefing on religious affairs in China, an official, Chen Zongrong said: “I think there is no religion in human society that is above the state.”
He brings to mind Pharaoh in Exodus chapters 7 to 10. However God insisted then that worship (liturgy and observance) can take place only according to God’s measure and therefor eludes the rules of the game of political compromise.
Yours etc.,
Neil Bray,
Cappamore, Co. Limerick.
Not rocket science
Dear Editor, I was amazed to read in your paper that the Society of St Vincent de Paul shall be taking no stance in the coming abortion referendum (IC 12/4/2018). I appreciate that the society’s members may be divided on this issue, but I don’t think it’s particularly difficult to discern where St Vincent would have stood on the matter.
Yours etc.,
Geraldine Kelly,
Drogheda, Co. Louth.
Aren’t we all taxpayers, after all?
Dear Editor, The Minister for Education keeps talking about the ‘Baptism Barrier’ in Catholic schools. More schools are needed not the removal of the so-called barrier.
I am always bemused by the fact that some people constantly trot out the idea that the state should not fund teachers’ salaries, capitation grants and other supports in denominational schools because taxpayers’ money is involved!
It is conveniently forgotten that over 90% of the population belong to these denominations, if only in name, including the Catholic Church (the most traduced denomination of all). We all pay our taxes, in one way or another, and are, therefore, entitled to whatever benefits are available from the state. It is surely not unreasonable that Catholic and Church of Ireland schools and others should prioritise their own members in their admissions policy only when there is pressure for places.
The problems in overcrowded schools are lack of schools and the pupil- teacher ratio rather than policy or patronage. As a member of boards of management for many years I have never been aware of interference by the patron.
I find the mantra “taxpayers’ money” rather tiresome!
Yours etc.,
Murt McInerney,
Doonbeg, Co.Clare.
Senator Catherine Noone’s homage to GUBU
Dear Editor,
Congratulations to The Irish Catholic for taking a proactive position on highlighting the comments of Senator Catherine Noone, who, after attending Mass at Knock, wrote on social media “an octogenarian priest took at least three opportunities to preach to us about abortion” (It’s not for politicians to try and tell the Church what to teach, 5/4/2018).
For me it truly was a ‘GUBU’ moment; grotesque (referring to an elderly priest as an “octogenarian”), unbelievable (that one might be surprised by a Christian prolife message at Mass), bizarre (that she could then wish everyone a Happy Easter as part of her message) and unbelievable (that the so called impartial Chair of the Oireachteas Committee on abortion could actually make such comments).
Yours etc.,
Frank Browne,
Templeogue, Dublin 16.
The people behind the Agreement
Dear Editor, Mattie McGrath’s call to recognise the contribution of all those who built the Good Friday Agreement (IC 12/4/2018) should be heeded not merely by those who want to do justice to our present, but those who want to build a real future for Ireland. It is shocking to see how even John Hume’s contribution is being played down nowadays.
Yours etc.,
Louise Clarke,
Clonsilla, Dublin 15.