Madam, - That was an interesting anecdote from Breda O'Brien in last Saturday's paper, illustrating the honesty and "own- man-ness" of Dublin's new archbishop. One does not always associate diplomacy with honesty so we should welcome Archbishop Martin, an honest diplomat, back to Dublin and wish him well in his new position as shepherd of an uncertain flock.
Coincidentally, Sunday was "Good Shepherd Sunday" and one could not help but reflect on how good our shepherds have been. We heard that the Good Shepherd is willing to lay down his life for his sheep. It seems to me, however, that a number of our shepherds, on discovering wolves in their flock, far from risking their lives or reputations to remove the wolves, merely facilitated the wolves by moving them from one part of the flock to another where these well-disguised wolves could continue to devour the most vulnerable of our sheep.
Were these the actions of a good shepherd?
Jesus reserved his harshest criticism for those who would lead the little ones astray and, while I am ill equipped to judge, surely we are entitled, at the very least, to expect our shepherds not to facilitate such behaviour.
Jesus also criticised the hypocritical religious leaders of his day. I will not claim to be untainted by hypocrisy, but one cannot ignore the similarity between Christ's description of the Pharisees and some of our shepherds. Can we not expect them to practice what they preach?
Bishop Martin's CV is very impressive and I have no doubt is honest; as for being his own man, I suspect that he might not claim to be. My prayer for him is that he will simply be a "good shepherd". - Yours, etc.,
HUGH BRENNAN, Killarney Road, Bray, Co Wicklow.