Sir, - I was amazed to read the report by Lorna Siggins (June 3rd) that the Gay & Lesbian Network carried on criticising Fr Paddy Sheridan with regard to his apology at Inishbofin. As a visitor to the island that week-end, I was present at Mass and heard Fr Sheridan apologise. The apology was a brave act by a local priest for what he termed unfortunate remarks. To my ears, his apology was fulsome, deeply felt and delivered with humility and contrition. When a man has the moral courage to stand up and say, I am sorry, that careless words can hurt - and to do so in public - he is deserving of our support and encouragement.
The tone of the comments from the Gay & Lesbian Network was, in this context, offensive to me, who heard the apology; and to compare Inishbofin to "Craggy Island" was to add insult to injury! I would now like to see if the Gay & Lesbian Network has the moral courage to congratulate Fr Paddy Sheridan and withdraw this gratuitous insulting statement and, instead, acknowledge a real man of God who has publicly said he was sorry for any unintentional and hurtful remarks that he may have uttered. - Yours, etc., Joe McDonnell,
Malahide, Co. Dublin.