A chara, – I was delighted by Prof David McConnell’s charming and utterly civilised response (September 25th) to my letter of September 23rd about how science is taking the place of religion for some.
All too often genuine discourse is replaced by sloganeering and personalised slanging which do nothing to advance any debate.
I thank him for his kind invitation to attend the upcoming humanist conference in Galway (even as I congratulate the association on its 21st anniversary). However, I’m sure he will understand that, as a member of the clergy, my weekends tend to be spoken for.
In the same spirit of courtesy I would like to invite Prof McConnell, and indeed all attendees of the conference, to spend some time in one of the many fine places of worship in the area, should the conference programme allow time. – Is mise,
Rev PATRICK G BURKE,
Castlecomer,
Co Kilkenny.