Madam, - On Tuesday you published two letters criticising last Thursday's article by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Both writers missed the point. This was a historic piece of political journalism. Never has a newspaper of the standing of The Irish Times published such a load of pious, po-faced codswallop.
Whoever wrote the article for Bertie displays an impressive lack of familiarity with the realpolitik of the Roman Catholic Church. To write that Pope John Paul II "further developed" the teaching that "decision-making should be devolved to the lowest practicable level" is hysterically unreal.
I can write no more. The pain in my side is killing me. - Yours, etc,
KEVIN HEALY,
Hampstead Avenue,
Dublin 9.
Madam, - Your report of July 8th on the Government's initiative to encourage more structured dialogue between Church and State is deficient in one important regard. The dialogue is inclusive of not only church and faith groups but also non-confessional ethical organisations such as the Humanist Association of Ireland (HAI).
This association speaks for those within Ireland who do not avow any religion. This is now the largest ethical minority within the country, greater in fact than the other four minority Christian denominations combined - Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Orthodox and Methodist (National Census 2002). Therefore many of your readers might be relieved to know that the HAI, in the interests of inclusiveness and openness, has been invited and will be a participant in this Government initiative. - Yours, etc,
ANN JAMES,
Secretary, Humanist
Association of Ireland,
Balbriggan,
Co Dublin.