Sir, – As the former director of pastoral formation at Allen Hall Seminary in Westminster Archdiocese, London (1993-1997), I am surprised only by any surprise at the alleged “gay subculture” and “strange goings-on” in Maynooth.
What is to be expected in this day and age if a number of men, of whatever age, some or many of whom by definition may not be sexually experienced or indeed even fully aware of their own sexuality, are placed in close proximity to one another – and indeed, given access to the internet?
The gay subculture and strange goings-on were ever thus and are likely to be so in any seminary in the world, including in Rome. The only route to a more balanced culture is to include more women in the life of the seminary – as teachers and lecturers, and indeed as students.
Only the ordination of women, the ending of mandatory celibacy, and the acceptance of homosexuality within the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church can “normalise” the seminaries – and let us just imagine what a difference that would make. – Yours, etc,
VICKY COSSTICK,
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.
Sir, – Your Editorial (August 4th) in which you referred to the faith of many Catholics as being "rattled" by scandal, deserves a response.
Given the state of human nature, the church has, since the time of Judas, never been too far from scandal. The church is made up of saints and sinners, foot-soldiers and officers. With all our limitations, as we strive to live out our christianity in our families, our work and in society, we draw strength from the direction of selfless pastors.
We are encouraged more by the recent sight of up to two million vibrant young people at World Youth Day, than we are discouraged by the controversy about Maynooth.
If my belief and commitment are such that they can be “rocked” by rumours about individuals in a position of authority, then you can question the sincerity of my commitment in the first place. – Yours, etc,
EAMON FITZPATRICK.
Sligo.
Sir, – Archbishop Diarmuid Martin betrays a lack of awareness of the complexity of sexual maturation in an oppressively sexualised social media.
He says something is wrong if seminarians are on gay dating sites, but is only keen to protect his three students. His concern should be for the pressure all young people face with insidious sexual apps. How can he support the youth in integrating their spirituality and sexuality?
His concern is well-placed but seems limited to three seminarians rather than a whole generation. The archbishop should think again, his brief is wider than that. – Yours, etc,
ANTHONY BOLAND,
Dungarvan,
Co Waterford.
A chara, – An anonymous ninth-century poet showed a healthy scepticism of the spiritual benefits of a journey to Rome. Frank O’Connor’s translation from the Irish reads: “To go to Rome Is little profit, endless pain; The Master that you seek in Rome You find at home, or seek in vain.”
Ancient Ireland knew it all! – Is mise,
PEADAR Mac MAGHNAIS,
Baile Atha Cliath 5.
Sir, – The present discussion about Maynooth presents yet another wake-up call for the church.
The need for reform and renewal thunders out at us. It is a very unhealthy church indeed that remains so homophobic, so furtive and so lacking in compassion. The saddest part of it all is that we would scapegoat the staff, and worse still, the students of the national seminary. This is cowardly in the extreme. Please take note, members of the Episcopal Conference. – Yours, etc,
JOE Mc DONALD (Fr),
Dublin 10.
Sir, – The schedule of requirements of the Catholic right wing, as articulated by Patsy McGarry (“Why the Catholic right wants a ‘cleanout’ in Maynooth”, August 5th), which includes a commitment to the Real Presence, condemnation of any questioning of the divinity of Christ, the insistence that faith alone is required for salvation and that good works count for nothing (pure Luther, by the way) and the old chestnut of transubstantiation, are no doubt held with devout sincerity by their proponents, but the list is incomplete.
To be full, it would have to include ecclesiastical courts with unbounded powers, examination of heretics with the aid of the rack, and the public burning of same at the stake in those cases where they felt unable to recant. – Yours, etc,
SEAMUS McKENNA,
Dublin.
Sir, – Do the “princes of the church” who disagree with Archbishop Diarmuid Martin ever consider why the Catholic Church is haemorrhaging its members, or do they even care? Following the cover-ups of the child abuse scandals and the mental reservation nonsense, their arrogance astounds. They are not good shepherds so will they please stop insulting their flock. – Yours, etc,
EITHNE Mac FADDEN,
Carrigart,
Co Donegal.
Sir, – Prolific Catholic author Canon Sheehan (aka Canon Sheehan of Doneraile), in his book A Spoiled Priest (1905), vividly depicted and created a byword for the enormous stigma attaching in those days to a seminarian of Maynooth College on being asked by his superiors to leave that Catholic institution (and its "sphinx-guarded gates"), a public shame which followed him to his home place.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin’s recent definition of spoiled priests would be the current students of that college who have their breakfast, dinner and tea served up to them, including other living comforts! – Yours, etc,
OLIVER McGRANE,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.