Sir, - F. McCoy implies (December 20th) that the lack of societal responsibility and the increase in crime in Ireland is due to declining Catholicism. But it is unwise and naive to associate societal mores with piety. For example, religious affiliation and church attendance in Finland, as in the other Nordic countries, is considerably lower than in Ireland of the "new liberal agenda". Yet it is safer to walk the streets of Helsinki at night than those of Dublin. And in my experience, respect for people and property is more evident in Finnish society than in Ireland.
Furthermore, civic pride and duty are inherent features of the Finnish human character, which I believe has nothing to do with whether a Finn attends Mass or not - most don't. Religious affiliation and piety cannot imply a good society. - Yours, etc.,
Niall O'Donoghue, Narva, Finland.