Sir, – I have been reading your excellent series of articles on Catholicism in Ireland today with a mixture of head-shaking sadness, a little relief and not a few pangs of regret. Sadness, in that the evidence for a decline in the vitality of the church is all around us. Relief, in that a church that was once haughty and arrogant has now begun to learn humility. Regret, in that, although I would probably qualify as one of the more woolly-minded members of the flock, I do know that the church can and should be a powerful voice for good in a society that sorely needs guidance. – Yours, etc,
A chara , – If eight per cent of Irish Catholics don’t believe in God (Home News, June 5th), what percentage of Irish atheists do? – Is mise ,
Sir, – The only surprise at your series was that it was not placed in the business section. Your data and commentary seem to be based on the concept of Catholicism as a product: its producers on the one hand and on its consumers – their attitudes, behaviours and their regularity (or irregularity) of “consumption” – on the other.
Truly the Celtic Tiger era values are alive and well when its values are being applied to Catholicism.
While faith is a divine gift, the maxim of “if you don’t use it you will lose it” applies. Contrary to your headline, Catholics do have a real cause to celebrate. They can celebrate the love, mercy and saving grace of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. If The Irish Times is bothered, it could readily find people who could present that side of Catholicism for interested readers. However, it’s a good news story, which may be an obstacle to inclusion in either the news or business sections of your paper. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – About 20 years ago I started to examine what I really believed when I looked at my faith in God. Over time I realised that my belief system was closer to the Protestant tradition. Initially, given my nationalist and Catholic upbringing, I felt very uncomfortable with this realisation. However, I was able overcome this with the help of God. The challenge that I set to the majority of Irish Catholics is to ask God to guide them and to follow their heart. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Although statistics leave me cold, one contribution struck a chord – that of Brendan Leahy (Opinion and Analysis, June 5th). The “communion of light, life and love in the service of humanity” that he wrote about may not be written in neon lights but I believe it is alive and well in the lives of thousands of people across this land and in many of the poorest countries of the world. Essence is usually invisible.
Last week I read a caption on a poster which said: “Blessed are they who see beauty where others see nothing”, so let us look for the beauty. Of course change is always necessary to help us find better ways of living the essentials – and thankfully the winds of change are blowing. – Yours, etc,