Madam, - John Rochfort (March l2th) complains about the Angelus broadcast by RTÉ. He seems to be offended by the fact that it "is a prayer of the Roman Catholic Church".
Might I suggest that he offers some other prayer of his own choice at such times and not be so disturbed about the belief of others?
The ringing of the Angelus offers all of us a time of reflection in the midst of busy lives and as such should be welcomed rather than rejected merely because of its origin. Loosen up, Mr Rochfort, loosen up! - Yours, etc,
WALTON NF EMPEY, Former archbishop of Dublin, Tullow, Co Carlow.
Madam, - If John Rochfort ever again intends to criticise the sounding of the Angelus bell on RTÉ, he should, at the very least, research the basic facts beforehand. He claims that other Christian denominations do not accept Mary as the mother of God. Does he really mean to say that non-Catholic Christians do not believe that Jesus is divine, or that Mary was his mother? I find this difficult to believe.
Secondly, he is right when he says that most other Christian religions do not accept the belief in Immaculate Conception. However the Angelus makes no reference to the Catholic dogma of the Immaculate Conception, as expressed by Pope Pius IX in Ineffabilis Deus (1854). This dogma refers to the conception of Mary, not that of Christ, which is referred to in the Angelus.
Whatever about the Chinese, I would imagine that a good portion of the Muslim population at present in Ireland would find overt secularism more off-putting than overt Catholicism. Incidentally, why did he only pick out the Chinese and Muslims "living in our midst" for special mention.
As for the sneering use of "bongs" and "antics", a reference to "Franco's fascist Spain" and the use of the word "sectarian": hardly the mark of someone making a reasoned argument.- Yours, etc,
ALAN HYNES, Cregboy, Claregalway, Co Galway.
Madam, - I agree fully with John Rochfort regarding the broadcasting of the Angelus by our (supposed to be) sectarian-bias free national broadcaster, RTÉ. Unfortunately, it's a bit more serious than just making sectarian statements, because our Constitution states quite clearly, in Article 44.2 (2), that "The State guarantees not to endow any religion".
As the word "endow" is not widely used, I looked it up in Chamber's Dictionary and there I found it defined as "to provide permanent support for, to enrich with any gift or faculty". So there we have it - the facility as provided is illegal.
The only question is, do we have a legal action (all costs paid), or do we have a referendum? Meanwhile, the Minister for Communications will just do what he's best at, or should that be the Minister for Shrugging Shoulders - which of them? - Yours, etc,
JOHN NEWMAN, Glasnevin Avenue, Dublin 11.