Madam, - Des Cryan (February 14th) does your readers a service in bringing the writings of Fr Seán Fagan to their attention. Reading his letter, I was reminded of the stark contrast between the church leadership's treatment of Fr Fagan and the late Fr Marcial Maciel of Mexico.
Fr Fagan's accessible and instructive book Does Morality Change? (which encapsulates the content of most of his writings) was the subject of a long Vatican investigation, culminating in an instruction to the Irish bishops to speak out against it, which they did on their website. (Both the timing and manner of the announcement suggests that more than a few episcopal consciences were disturbed at having to take this unjust action).
On the other hand, the late Fr Maciel, founder of Legionaries of Christ, an ultra-right organisation within the church, who had serious and credible accusations of sexual abuse over decades laid against him, was not only protected by John Paul II, but repeatedly honoured and praised by him and by senior Vatican cardinals. Investigation of Maciel's conduct was inexplicably halted in 1999 to the chagrin of many, not least a secretary to Cardinal Ratzinger of the CDF, who suggested the abuse survivors take a civil action against Maciel.
Only in 2006, after a renewed investigation, and not long before his death, were restrictions placed on Maciel's public ministry. If there was ever an argument against those who believe that the Pope is the arbiter of conscience, the Maciel case is it. - Yours, etc,
ANGELA HANLEY, Athlone, Co Westmeath.