Sir, – In view of the vile and hypocritical anti-Catholic comments emanating from the political establishment (at the behest of the media) over the last few days, may I suggest the Catholic Church ban all political parties from collecting outside churches with immediate effect? – Yours, etc,
A chara, – Would the bishops consider decommissioning their tall hats, croziers, purple cummerbunds, rows of fancy buttons, et al, and substituting bare heads, simple vestments, and a humble pilgrim’s staff on all liturgical and other occasions? The people of God just might see it as a small outward symbol of an inner recognition of fundamental Gospel values. – Is mise,
Sir, – If proof were needed of the assault on the Catholic Church, surely the suggestion that the confidentiality of the confession box should be broken is proof enough. This may have been suggested in a mischievous way to hasten the confrontation between the church and State. If so, it is a cynical way to use a report on the abuse of children.
The sacerdotal privilege, as it is called, is part of Catholic teaching and beliefs and to introduce a law forcing Catholic priests to reveal anything they were told in the confessional is an attack on all Catholics.
The church has just started the “countdown” to the Eucharistic Congress, which will be held in Ireland next year. This should be a wonderful occasion, with the possibility of the Pope attending. How would this country look, in the eyes of the world, if we had on our statute books a law breaking the confessional confidence? – Yours, etc,
Sir, – With regard to the seal of confession, Micheál Ó Fearghail (July 18th) states that, “In the case of a guilty party confessing, the normal procedure would be to withhold absolution until the culprit has given himself up to the secular authorities”. That is incorrect. According to canon law (Canon 980), “If the confessor is in no doubt about the penitent’s disposition and the penitent asks for absolution, it is not to be denied or delayed”. The priest cannot extract a commitment from a criminal penitent to give themselves up to the authorities.
It may be argued that this position undermines the rule of civil laws, which will obviously matter little to a penitent who believes they have been forgiven by God. – Yours, etc,