Sir, - In an article (December 8th) which I found otherwise valuable (particularly the claim that the Church needs more "joy, ritual" and "celebration"), John Waters writes: "The story of the Irish Church is a story of a struggle for power. Even the good was done with an ulterior purpose".
This statement is not only of such a sweeping and generalised nature as to be at the level of a secondary school debate, but also insults both the profound personal faith of countless millions and the selfless labour of priests and religious who have sacrificed themselves for the good of these millions. The myth that the clergy have sought only to exercise "power" over their congregations is one which has by now, thanks to articles like this, attained the status of historical and sociological fact.
The Church is composed of clergy, religious and laity who are human beings, susceptible to moral failure. The priests, brothers and sisters who have ministered to the practical and spiritual needs of Irish people for nigh on 1,500 years have, in the vast majority, had anything but "power over their flock" on their minds. Rather, they give up power over their own lives for other's good. - Yours, etc.,
Colm Rothery, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.