Sir, - I disagree with Brendan Herlihy (September 21st). He quotes Miriam Donohoe (Opinion September 13th) saying that "Mass has become a major turn-off for the majority of Ireland's young Catholics". He goes on to blame priests who, according to him "let us down dismally" when they say Mass.
At 16 I am one of "Ireland's youngest Catholics" who does not attend Mass. This is not because of the priests' "performance" - in fact I enjoy Mass when I do occasionally attend - but rather because I do not come from a particularly religious family.
Mr Herlihy suggests that to increase attendance at Mass we must revise the way the Mass is spoken. Perhaps he feels that it should be modernised. I must disagree. I find that some priests, at least those whose sermons I have heard, use modern language in relating the word of the Lord. For example, I recently attended Mass when the priest compared God to mobile phones and playing basketball. This may sound odd, but it was a very interesting sermon.
I do not believe the attendance of young Catholics would be greatly affected by a reassessment of priests at the altar. I think the main reason a lot of young people do not like going to Mass is because they are forced to go by their parents or guardians. Many see it as a time when they could be out with their friends, working, or especially on Sunday mornings, asleep! It is classed as a chore, not as an enjoyable experience or a celebration of their beliefs.
I believe that to increase attendance at Mass, we do not need to alter the priest's "performance" at Mass, but to change people's perception of it. - Yours, etc.,
ANNE-MARIE DOLAN, Ballinteer, Dublin 16.