MARY CONNELL,
Madam, - I wonder if it is possible that the Hierarchy of the Roman Catholic church in Ireland have forgotten the Confiteor: "I confess to Almighty God, and to you my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault. . .in what I have done and in what I have failed to do. . ."
I suggest that they give it a through re-reading. It may prove valuable in resolving the current debate about civil versus canon law. - Yours, etc.,
MARY CONNELL, Tonduff, Abbeyleix, Co Laois.
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Madam, - Amid all the controversy about clerical abuse of children, let us not forget the thousands of dedicated, caring priests who have lived true Christian lives devoted to others.
It is dreadful to think that their names are being tarnished by a minority. We cannot let them feel that their vocations have been in vain. Surely all the people who have benefited so much from the work of these dedicated men, who have given up so much to help others, should now support them wholeheartedly.
Let us denounce all the perpetrators of these appalling crimes against children. Let us deplore the actions (or inaction) of those in positions of power who failed to protect children from depravity. And let us reflect on our own naïvety in believing that priests could be any less prone to these evil acts than fathers, uncles or grandfathers.
The institution of the Catholic Church has a huge case to answer, but please remember those honest, caring men who have served, and continue to serve, us so well. - Yours, etc.,
CHRISTINE BORINSKI, Monkstown Valley, Co Dublin.
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Madam, - Would someone please send a "Power to Change" booklet to Cardinal Connell? - Yours, etc.,
TIM O'SULLIVAN, Milford Grange, Limerick.