Madam, - It appears that the "politically correct", liberal elements of European political life and media have scaled new heights of hypocrisy. In fact, it seems that the Editorial in this newspaper has followed suit (October 22nd), in calling for the rejection of Commissioner Designate Mr Rocco Buttiglione from the Freedom, Justice and Home Affairs portfolio of the European Commission.
Certain facts strike me as particularly relevant in striving for a less hysterical contextual analysis of Mr Buttiglione's comments. The European Union is founded on the premise that we, as Europeans, are united in our diversity.
The acceptance of each member-state's unique and individual cultural heritage has been fundamental to the success of the Union. In allowing such diversity to coexist in our ever-closer Union, the principles of openness, honesty and most crucially, tolerance, have been central. In developing tolerance and mutual respect for divergent religious, cultural and moral perspectives, Europe has truly become the freest and most democratic society in the world.
I am alarmed, therefore, that a senior politician is now being ridiculed and polarised for daring to express his personally held moral beliefs, which clearly derive from his own free religious choice. These "liberals" who deliver painful and endless rhetorical lectures about equality and tolerance should consider conducting some personal critiques. Why do they endorse different degrees of tolerance for the fundamental right to express religious belief as opposed to, for example, the fundamental right to equal treatment on the basis of gender or sexual orientation?
There is nothing in our accepted rules of natural or common law, or contained in Bunreacht na hÉireann, the European Convention on Human Rights, or in the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights, to suggest that a hierarchy of rights exists that places gender equality or the right to privacy above religious freedom. This is logical. If we look to the major international and regional conflicts of our time, they almost invariably derive from some form of religious oppression and intolerance.As a Roman Catholic, Mr Buttiglione is not alone in holding traditional moral views on family life and sexuality. While I may not agree entirely with his viewpoint, I certainly respect his individual right to hold it. So long as Mr Buttiglione's moral beliefs do not lead to intolerance or discrimination in his political role, there is no problem. Commission President José Manual Barroso must stand firm and defend this position.
As the most senior figure in the European Commission, Mr Barroso has a critical obligation to defend and actively protect the fundamental right to free and open religious expression, not least because the union of European nations, of which he is the key figurehead, was born from the ashes of the brutal, indiscriminate slaughter of millions of innocent Jews, murdered only as punishment for practising their chosen religion. - Yours, etc.,
Cllr LUCINDA CREIGHTON (Fine Gael), Deputy Secretary General, Youth of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats), Donnybrook, Dublin 4.
Madam, - We feel it only right to take issue with your editorial of October 22nd, "Barroso should think again".
Might we suggest that you could profitably do likewise in relation to what you wrote on that occasion.
Calling for "political accountability" from politicians as you did, so too, in the same vein, we call for "editorial accountability" from editors.
For making his private beliefs part of the public record you pour scorn on Mr Buttiglione's unchristian comments.
As Editor of "the paper of record" you then go on to state that he is entitled to "his traditional Catholic beliefs" which you "record" as follows 1) "homosexuality is a sin", 2) "marriage is intended to allow women have children and their husbands to protect them"! 3) "single mothers do not make good parents".
We state categorically that what you purport to represent as Catholic teaching is not so.
Not one of those three statements in your assertion has ever formed part of Catholic belief.That you choose to misrepresent it as such is regrettable.
That you use your office as Editor to "record" it as such, even more so.
As part of Mr Buttiglione's political accountability we have seen a subsequent apology penned by him.
As part of editorial accountability, ought we continue to watch this space for your apology? - Yours, etc.,
Rev ARTHUR O'NEILL, Westland Row Parish, Rev DECLAN MORIARTY, Rowlagh Parish, Rev EUGENE TAAFFE, Mulhuddart Parish.