Sir, – When my late father David Faiers married Peggy Tansey (my mother) in Haddington Road Roman Catholic church on August 29th, 1953, there were no guests and just two witnesses.
The marriage ceremony was conducted at a side altar and there was no Mass, candles, nor flowers. There was however a dispensation from Pope Pius XII. My father had to sign an agreement to have all children of the marriage raised in the Roman Catholic faith. This was, he contended throughout his life over many a glass of Bushmills whiskey, a form of ethnic cleansing .
By profession he was a marvellous sports journalist, but according to his neighbours he was the “black Prod” on the avenue. I was baptised a Roman Catholic and I practise very hard at being a good Christian. I suspect that inside me there is a “raging Protestant” trying to emerge. – Yours, etc,
HELGA FAIERS,
Kildavin,
Bunclody,
Co Wexford.