Sir, - The news that the entire Catholic population of Northern Ireland has only one vocation to the priesthood this year makes us ask why.
Can anyone remember when there were plentiful vocations of both priests and nuns every year? Can they remember the "old" Latin Mass, known then as the Eternal Sacrifice of Calvary? Can they remember the sanctuary divided from the public by altar railings, and the tabernacle in the centre of the altar, like a heart of the church? It was always gold with golden doors in those days, in a marble house with a small dome.
Can anyone recall the singing of the choirs that sounded like angels ascending to heaven, - the Credo, the Sanctus, the Gloria in Excelsis Deo? Can anyone remember Benediction? Can you recall regular confessions, at 12 noon to 1 p.m. each Saturday in every parish church?
In those days no one handled the Blessed Eucharist except the priests. No one opened the tabernacle except the priests. No one handled the sacred vessels except the priests. No one read the scriptures and the gospel except the priests. The sanctuary was a place apart, a holy of holies and not a public concourse. Candles were lit, not lights switched on with timers.
Women wore hats or scarves to cover their heads and were never seen in trousers. There were frequent sermons on Mary the Mother of God and our Mother. Silliness during sacred ceremonies was unknown and reverence was generally observed.
The Church is the only institution on earth where progress entails returning to the past and where reform means tradition. Some people either hell-bent on destroying the Catholic Church completely, or mistakenly thinking to streamline it to suit modern times, have brought about the present situation. But you cannot suit the Catholic Church to the world without disastrous consequences from which we now all suffer.
Here is a quotation from an article by a mother, Elizabeth Altham, in the current edition of Christian Order:
"Older boys accept authority from men, particularly of men who are good at things, coaches, drill instructors, even teachers, masters of ceremonies and priests - but the authority of women gets their backs up."
It is the leaders in the positions of authority in both Church and State who have imposed an artificial "equality" on men and women, detrimental to the welfare of both sexes. In this they have followed their own wills and concupiscence, their own pride and their own opinions, which have resulted in increased crime and chaos in society. The very ceremonies of the Catholic Church have also become infected, and this is even more serious for society because it interferes with the honour due to God.
The leader, government minister or archbishop who has knuckled under to the feminist poison of this time will answer to the Holy Trinity after death. - Yours, etc.,
FRANK O'MEARA,
Newline Road,
Quin,
Co Clare.