Madam, - Just before my mother died, her priest refused to let my uncle, a Lutheran, take Communion with her because he was not Catholic. My sister was unable to take Communion at my mother's funeral because she was divorced and remarried. Now the Vatican is telling Irish politicians to deny homosexual couples the right to marry and adopt.
They are too late in my case. After 26 years together, my partner and I were married last year. A week later, my adopted son and his wife, both Vietnamese refugees, gave us a beautiful grandson. My son, grandson and I are all proud Irish citizens.
When the Irish people and the Courts consider the legal status of same-sex couples and our families, they should remember that the second Vatican Council instructs Catholics to be informed of the official position of the Hierarchy, but ultimately to act in accordance with their conscience based on life experience.
The Hierarchy is leading people astray on this issue, as it has on many others. - Yours, etc.,
MARTIN PADGETT, Toronto, Canada.