Madam, – Cyril Daly (September 14th) takes issue with the invitation to boycott Sunday Mass on September 26th and labels it “a positively abusive act”. Contrary to what Mr Daly writes, there is no campaign to “stop” Catholics from attending Mass. They are free to do so if they wish. Mr Daly states that “the glory of God dwells in the [Catholic] church,” and quotes from Psalm 26 to substantiate his assertion. The psalm was not, of course, referring to any Christian Church, none of which existed when it was first composed.
– Yours, etc,
Madam, – Of those who oppose the boycott of Mass on September 26th, a key argument seems to be that it would be wrong to forgo participation in what is the central sacrament of the church. One simple solution would be that on that one Sunday, those who wish to respond to Jennifer Sleeman’s call could seek out and attend a celebration of the Eucharist where the presiding priest is either (a) a woman or (b) married – or possibly even both.
– Yours, etc,
Madam, – I have a solution for those who don’t want to miss Mass next weekend but do want to support the boycott. Attend the vigil Mass on Saturday evening and stay away on Sunday.
– Yours, etc,