KEVIN KENNY,
Sir, - I read Patsy McGarry's article "Thawing the ecumenical winter" (January 28th) with a heavy heart and with the impression that his finger is very much on the pulse of ecumenism in Ireland. It was well judged and a timely wake-up call.
I then read Rev David O'Hanlon's response (January 31st) with an even heavier heart, but with little surprise. He insults his fellow Catholics by telling them they are profoundly ignorant of what the Church they claim to belong to actually stands for. He insults his fellow priests by suggesting they are too busy playing golf to be bothered with ecumenism. He insults his fellow Christians of other denominations by branding them bigots in the face of his own absolutism and infallibility. He claims that ecumenism in Ireland is 'a dead duck' because of these groups, who probably account for around 90 per cent of the population.
And yet, while adopting the attitude, "I'm right, you're wrong, full stop" (or possibly more accurately "I'm right, you're wrong, because you're an ignorant, golfing bigot, full stop"), he offers absolutely nothing constructive or positive on how ecumenism can be rescued from the mire.
Yet without ecumenism, Christianity in Ireland is doomed - or at least Christianity as Jesus Christ defined it. All he can do is call Patsy McGarry's contribution an "amateur, hysterical rant." It seems that you must either agree in full with Reverend David (no oxymoron intended) or be declared the enemy.
If only he could realise that the legacy of failed ecumenism in Ireland has been a long history drenched in Christian blood. - Yours, etc.,
KEVIN KENNY,
Castleknock Gate,
Castleknock,
Dublin 15.