Sir, - Sister Maura O'Donoghue's report, among others, about the rape and sexual abuse of nuns by priests in Africa and other countries, has been with Rome for seven years and we heard nothing about it until now. Apparently, we would never have been informed had the reports not been leaked to the weekly US Nation- al Catholic Reporter recently.
The abbot primate of the Benedictine order, who has made many trips to the Benedictine institutions in Africa, is also quoted as saying: "I don't believe these are simply exceptional cases."
It is obvious from the well-researched reports by these dedicated nuns that the Church rule of celibacy has completely broken down in parts of Africa and other countries. Maybe this is why Rome didn't want us to hear about it, and that's understandable from their point of view.
What I cannot understand is how this rule of celibacy, which is continuing to cause havoc to Christ's Church all over the world, is being kept in place. - Yours, etc.,
Jackie Robinson PP, Borris-in-Ossory, Co Laois.