Sir, – As the election of a worthy successor to Peter begins in Rome, how refreshingly honest are the sentiments of Rev Gabriel Daly (Opinion, February 26th) when he writes, “History has bestowed on the papacy an external magnificence which is difficult to reconcile with the ideals put before us by Jesus of Nazareth”. These sentiments, shared by lapsed Catholics and by many of the practising faithful who believe the unnecessary display of sartorial splendour, the pomp, frippery and the undue influence of hierarchical power, are all far from the simple message of Christ and the early church.
Today’s fast-emptying churches (many “converted” to commercial use), an ageing priesthood, the unprecedented falling off of religious vocations, compulsory clerical celibacy, the adherence to archaic ritual – all portray a church that has lost its way in a fast-changing, more open, liberal and democratic world.
Scapegoating sincere, critical and outspoken members of the church is certainly not the way forward towards renewal and regeneration.
Does the world now need another courageous, charismatic John XXIII? – Yours, etc,
Sir, – On Wednesday night four people appeared in front of the camera (with no doubt several behind), all sent from RTÉ in Donnybrook to Rome to cover the “second last” day of the Pope’s reign. Bryan Dobson was obliged to interview his compatriot from RTÉ, the Religious Affairs Correspondent. Surely that could have been achieved in the leafy gardens surrounding Montrose?
To make matters worse, they never even got an interview with the man himself. A holy waste of the licence fee. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Will Benedict XVI now be called The Pontiff Vecchio? – Yours, etc,
Sir, – John Waters (Opinion, March 1st) complains that modern culture has reduced popes to “actors in red shoes”.
Maybe if popes didn’t wear expensive, hand-made, red shoes in the first place they would seem less theatrical?
One wonders what the original “shoes of the fisherman” were like. Rough-soled rope sandals, probably. But that would never do in the Vatican, now, would it? – Yours, etc,