FRANK KELLY,
Sir, - Father Bernard Kennedy of Dundrum writes (April 10th): "Unfortunately the media in Ireland work from an agenda, which is against the role of Catholicism in this country. The constant highlighting of the same abuses, the same victims and the same stories is not accidental, but for a purpose.
"This purpose is not the healing of the individuals, nor that of seeing a strong Church".
How in God's name would we know what has been taking place in the Church without the unremitting efforts of the media to reveal the facts? Should we depend on someone with the mindset of the likes of Father Kennedy to unearth the facts for us?
What does Father Kennedy mean when he writes "a stronger Church"? Is it the model which demands medieval powers? Father Kennedy goes on to say: "The role of the media is to present the facts in a way which will have a shock value". How in the name of God could they not have a shock value?
A curate in the Guardian Angels' parish church concluded a most robust and inspiring sermon last Sunday with the words: "God bless the media".
And so say I! - Yours, etc.,
FRANK KELLY,
Stradbrook Lawn,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
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Sir, - It is not surprising that the Hierarchy of the Catholic Church (in Ireland and elsewhere) has traditionally remained in a state of relative denial concerning sexual abuse by members of the clergy. Since the third or fourth centuries the Church has taken an aberrant attitude to the significance of sexuality and the legitimate place of women in the evolving spiritual life of humanity.
One can only hope, given the world-wide exposure of this historic problem, coupled with the drastic decline in the number of clergy, that it is only a matter of time before there is a fundamental re-think by some enlightened leaders within the Catholic Church concerning the relevance and necessity of a balanced and integrating sexual life to the spiritual, psychological and physical health of those wishing to serve within its institutions as clergy and teachers. - Yours etc.,
MARK FINNAN,
Bailieboro,
Ontario,
Canada.
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Sir, - Recently, much has been written about "the Church in crisis". Be that as it may, I think it is important to remember that the Church was born in crisis, on Mount Calvary.
The Church, in my view, lives daily in the shadow of the Cross.
The Church is also the Mystical Body of Christ. Like all bodies, it has its cancerous growths, poison and dross which need to be removed. So, for me at least, this is a time of great grace, healing and purification. Despair should be changed into hope. - Yours, etc.,
DOMINIC JOHNSON OSB,
Glenstal Abbey,
Murroe,
Co Limerick.
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Sir, - Many doctors, psychologists and social workers have files that tell of the sexual abuse of children, the physical assault of a spouse and other criminal deeds.
I do not suggest an answer but simply ask the question: do readers feel that these doctors, psychologists and social workers have the duty of sending these files to the Garda forthwith?
And if not, why not? - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL NOLAN,
Harmony Avenue,
Dublin 4.
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Sir, - The regrets expressed about the resignation of Bishop Comiskey by victims of clerical abuse in Ferns are hard to understand. Surely it was the inevitable course after the revelations in the print media and the BBC documentary on the subject? The bishop's response to victims of Fathers Fortune and Grennan and to their families shows a staggering insensitivity, as well a gross failure to take appropriate action.
We can believe that Father Fortune was impossible to deal with, as the bishop himself said, and there is plenty of evidence to suggest he bullied all who resisted him in any way. However, when one factors in the relationship between a bishop and a diocesan curate - and it would be hard to find a greater disparity of power between a superior and a subordinate in any other walk of life - then the inaction of the bishop is baffling as well as inappropriate.
When the Church fully addresses the fundamental issues of power and accountability which are the root of its institutional problems, it will be in a position to make God and Jesus its central focus once again. - Yours, etc.,
MARGARET HICKEY,
Castleowen,
Blarney,
Co Cork.
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Sir, - Dealing with Desmond Connell and Brendan Comiskey is a reminder of what Lloyd George said about talking to de Valera: like picking up mercury with a fork. - Yours, etc.,
BRENDAN NEWMAN,
Greenfields,
Limerick.